Chapter 15: The Mechanic Does His Best to Survive_Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 15: The Mechanic Does His Best to Survive

 Fort Peony is a moderately sized valley fortress barring the only known path through the mountains at the north end of the mountains separating the allied kingdoms and Empire from the demon wilnds, with whom they are at war. It''s so far out of the way and difficult to traverse, very few attacks take ce. And, in order to provide a more ceremonial fortress to man, it''s rtively robust and secure. Many lesser noble women and daughters have chosen it, and all but given it a reputation, as a sort of Women-only base on the edge of the frontier. It''s not strictly women only, but when choosing manning, the Commanding Officers have been held to the tradition, as the main base at the other end of the valley is meant to receive warning and prepare if Fort Peony is going to be overrun.

 As night falls, Daniel yawns and makes his way towards the back of the barracks building. Most of the women have already turned in, excluding watchstanders, so it''s the least popted the base is, as far as people walking around. Daniel''s personal storage cubby, which had only his nket before he was locked outside of the base for the night, is of course empty, so he''s not going to sleep particrly well this evening. Instead, he decided to wear himself out and keep himself distracted with more work.

 He requested permission already to use the smithy in the night, since it''ll keep him out of the way, and he was even willing to begin heating up any equipment in the early morning, but the cksmiths refused. That said, he''s got a different project in mind for the moment.

 He inspects the control unit of the barracks building''s central air. It consists of a heating crystal, a cooling crystal, a wind crystal, and a mana crystal. And, from the gossip he''s overheard -rather, the regr grumbling about it-, the crystals were already reced, meaning it''s anything other than the one thing Daniel definitely can''t fix.

 He carefully and quietly disassembles the control unit, which houses the mana crystal and the mana delivery conductors, which are some kind of metal tubing. They don''t contain anything inside, but mana travels best in tubing for reasons Daniel has not yet learned. And, while it is fairly flexible, it also has a fatal w.

 It''s easy to dislodge, especially from the internal connection.

 Sure enough, Daniel can see the tubing where it’s dislodged. He pulls the pliers he borrowed from the smithy, and he ces the connection back into its socket, gripping down to close the mps. He then uses metal wire to tightly bind the connections of both ends of the circuit for each of the connections leading the main mana connection and the various control switches. This way, even if it’s dislodged by being hit during a battle, it should still stay connected and work.

 Thankfully, it’s not the first such central air Daniel has worked on. Wenlianna had him look at the Stalvaltan estate’s central air unit, and they have a handy panel on the outlet that changes colors with temperature, and this one even has a target temperature etched into the surface, likely once everyone found afortable zone. Daniel adjusts the controls until the panel matches the gradient desired, and he leaves it run. They’ll be able to adjust it the next day when they realize it. IF they realize it.

 Next is the bathhouse. He has to be extra careful with themunal wash area, as it’s a shared space, and men’s bath is right around this time. He makes his way in, checking the log. Sure enough, it’s upied. It’s about a one hour window that the men can take their baths using water scooped from the water heater, which is outputting heat, but not very much.

 Daniel enters with his equipment still with him, and he gets dirty looks from the two men that are present. Daniel remarks quietly, “Don’t mind me. I’ll only be a minute.” He uses a wash basin to wash off his arms, and then he reaches in, finding the heating elements. They’re warm, but definitely not hot. While he’s worried the mana crystal isn’t conducting well, he’ll look at thatst. More than likely, the protective heat caps that protect the gem housings are coated in buildup.

 Thankfully, the Earthling mechanic has plenty of practice, having set up both inline and basin crystal-powered heating units in the castle of Mornistae and the capital itself. He doesn’t have the manufacturing capacity to change the basin one the fort uses to an inline unit, since he doesn’t have the means to make pumps, but he can at least repair this one.

 Daniel pulls the first crystal’s outer protector off, inspecting the cover. Indeed, it is quite dirty, and he uses a rag to clean it off, scraping off some buildup carefully. He peeks down inside. The glow of the heat crystal is pretty dim, so something is definitely affecting the mana conductivity as well.

 Daniel reces the cap and does the same for the second and third ones. One of the guys approaches, asking, “What are you doing?”

 “Just cleaning. Trying to keep myself busy.” Daniel reces thest one, and he smiles at the man. With a nod, Daniel makes his way outside and around to the back side of the heating basin, where he can ess the controls and crystals from. He tightens the fittings holding the mana conduction tubing on both ends and checks the temperature adjustment slider. It turns out to be the slider. At some point, the users of the bathhouse -impossible to know who or when- tried to turn it up more and more, even as it reached maximum. Daniel has to return to the smithy briefly for some scrap metal to form into parts, but he’s able to find what he needs, and with a few splinters of metal, he’s able to make the slider functional again. Within a few moments, he can feel the heat being generated from the crystals radiating through the back of the unit. He adjusts it down to around 75%, which is still hot, but shouldn’t boil the water. He walks back inside, inspecting the water temperature. It’s the tail end of the hour he can use, but it’s enough time for him to feel heating from the water, and he dips his hand inside briefly. It’s a pretty good temperature, and he makes his way out.

 Between both tasks, it’s gotten prettyte, so Daniel makes his way back to the smithy. He’s still got a few hours before he’s going to try to sleep, so he begins inspecting scrap metal and ruined swords; materials he’s allowed to use, since they won’t make very good quality swords or armor, but serve the purpose if need be.

 Daniel’s goal is the one thing he’s wanted sinceing to the base. He begins making a male mold from wood; a tube with locking pegs on the bottom end. He forms the female mold with y and sand, and then begins melting the metal scraps in adle. It takes a while, but he’s able to get enough prepared to pour before morning. He’s thankful his body is younger, as his actual age made it rough to pull all-nighters. Now, he’s feeling the tug at his eyelids, but because he’s on task, he’s able to keep forging ahead.

 Once it’s cast, Daniel tucks the metal tube out of the way. It won’t appear to have an apparent purpose to anyone else, so they shouldn’t have a need to take it. The only real risk is that it’ll get used as scrap again, but Daniel doesn’t care. He’s using it to kill time.

 He makes his way outside, and he can tell by the moon that it’s about four hours to dawn. He heads to the back of the dining hall, finding a warm spot against the wall, where the heat in the stone of the oven is still present. He manages to get a nap before breakfast starts, and he drags himself in to help in the dining hall. He retrieves supplies and washes dishes and cooking tools.

 He returns to the dining hall with a crate of ingredients from the storehouse, walking in to “YES! I noticed it too! I had to use my nket! I was cold!”

 Daniel twitches, but ignores the subtle jab. However, it quickly leaves his mind when one of the other soldiers replies, “Me too! Did someone fix the air?”

 “They must’ve, but who? Who was watching the guardhouse this morning? Did an artificer arrive?”

 Daniel returns to the back, losing the rest of the conversation. He didn’t say anything, and he has no need to take credit. He mostly did it to keep himself distracted, and he heard about a problem that he might be -and ended up being- able to fix. With them repaired, maybe the overall morale will improve, maybe it won’t. He can operate in solitude, and it’s temperate enough for now that sleeping outside hasn’t caused him too much trouble. He’s not looking forward to the rain, but he’ll worry about that when he has to.

 Daniel stocks up the kitchen for lunch after breakfast is done, and he collects his rations and makes his way to the well. It has a manual pump already, cloned from his first one in the castle town, he assumes. It has the exact same design, and it works the same way. He and Wenlianna hadn’t perfected the automatic pumps yet, but soon enough, they’ll likely rece the equipment on military bases at the end of the world.

 He refills his leather water skin.

 “I’m kinda surprised you know how to use that. No one has showed you, have they?”

 Daniel looks. It’s the morning watchstander that let him in. He replies, “I saw enough people use it. Here to refill?”

 She nods civilly, and he steps aside to operate the pump for her.

 “Oh… Uh, thanks.” She steps up, holding her own water skin under the pump, and he cycles the pump for her.

 As the water pours in, she asks, “So, is it true?”

 “Is what true?”

 “What they say you did. Did you really tear the clothes off of a princess?”

 Daniel chuckles. “Yeah. That’s the truth.”

 “And… you’re still alive?”

 “I’ve been told the undead can’t talk.”

 She cocks her head, and she suddenly realizes what he’s saying. She scoffs, and retorts, “Alright, Mister. Goodeback, I guess.”

 The water reaches the top, and Daniel stops. She puts the cap on, but before she leaves, she asks, “So… Why’d you do it?”

 “I had to.”

 “You ‘had to’?”

 Daniel nods to answer her. “Please excuse me. Lunch is about to begin, and I have responsibilities.”

 Daniel walks away, and she watches him for a moment. “Hey, Daniel.”

 Daniel pauses to look at her, and he replies, “I’d rather not say any more about it right now.”

 “Not that. I never introduced myself. My name is Gwenesphia. Lieutenant Gwenesphia, if we’re in ‘properpany’.” She removes her helmet, revealing a pair of flickering cat ears at the top of her head. She smiles softly.

 Daniel bows his head politely. “Lieutenant Gwenesphia, the pleasure is mine. I’m just Daniel. No family name or rank.”

 She smiles and repeats his name. “Daniel. Please continue to treat me well.”

 Daniel gives a professional nod, and he heads for the dining hall once more.

 *****************

 “Commander? Can I talk to you?”

 Commander Leiwelles doesn’t look up from her report as she writes, replying with her usual stoic tone, “Enter.”

 The door opens, and one of the night watchstanders walks in, Treia, a gatonine woman with emerald green eyes. She walks in and salutes, stating, “Commander, Sergeant Treia. I wanted to report odd behaviorst night.”

 Leiwelles sighs and puts her pen down. “Daniel?”

 Treia confirms. “Yes, Commander. I saw him skulking aroundte into the nightst night.”

 With an exasperated nod, Leiwelles remarks, “This is the third report I’ve received. Did he seem to be interested in anything?”

 “Yes. He approached the barracks and seemed to be scoping out theyout. It made me ufortable, but I couldn’t prove he was doing anything.”

 The Commander pages through a logbook briefly. “I understand he spent the night outside of the fort the other night.”

 “Uh… That was because he missed curfew, Commander.”

 “Indeed. Perhaps he was hoping to seek retaliation. Fortunately, your room is on the upper floor, is it not?”

 Treia replies, “It is, Commander. But, shouldn’t we take precautions? You know better than any of us what he was sent here for. This fortress is the Flower Garden for a reason.”

 “Do you think you’d be unable to kill him if he were to attack you?”

 Treia recoils a little. “I… I don’t know. He’s a divine summon, isn’t he? He could have an untold amount of magical power.”

 Leiwelles nods in agreement with her point. “Indeed, that’s true. Has he impeded operations of the fort?”

 “N-Not to my knowledge.”

 “Very well. Has he made any threats?”

 “No, Commander. He barely speaks at all to anyone. He could be plotting anything.”

 “I see.” Leiwelles sits back in her chair, cing her cheek on her fist with her elbow on the armrest. “Do you know what he told me when I asked him about his banishment?”

 “I… I wouldn’t know, Commander.”

 “He told me the report was urate. He made no denials or excuses.”

 “Forgive me, Commander; I fail to see how that rtes to the threat he poses for the entirety of this base.”

 “He’s giving up. The reason he’s not retaliating on any of you is because his spirit’s breaking.”

 “I… I’m not sure what you’re referring to, Commander.”

 “I see. Well, then, I’ll consider actions to take for ensuring Daniel poses no threat. You may go.”

 “Thank you for hearing me out, Commander.” Treia bows and turns on her heel, walking out. Leiwelles looks out of her window, where Daniel is finishing chores for the dining hall during dinner. “What is going through your head, Daniel? They didn’t execute you for a reason. What was it?”

 Another knockes at the door. “Enter?” She keeps watching out of the window as the door opens and closes. “Commander; Quartermaster Lieutenant Verbeinne.”

 “What is it? Daniel skulking around at night?”

 “Oh! Uh, no, Commander. I actually wanted to ask about the barracks.”

 Curious, Leiwelles turns around. “The barracks? Is something wrong?”

 “The opposite. Did we receive a magic artificer recently?”

 “No. Why?” Leiwelles decides to hear out the exnation first before she makes an assumption.

 “That’s strange… Pardon me, Commander. Those of us that stay in the barracks have all noticed… the central air is working again. I was curious if an artificer came to repair it finally.”

 “Is that a fact?”

 “Yes, Commander. The vents are blowing air once more, and many of us found ourselves cold in the night, but only because it’s been so hot, recently.”

 “I see. Is it possible it began working again on its own?” The Commander knows what happened. The barracks central air has been awaiting repairs for a little over a year. Leiwelles has a room in the barracks, but often sleeps in her office because she can open her balcony doors and let air in.

 “I wouldn’t think so, Commander. Not after a year. Maybe it was someone on nightshift. If I learn who it was, would you like me to report it?”

 “Please do. I believe this person deserves thanks. Is there a particr reason you need an artificer?”

 “We’ve survived without thesest few weeks, Commander, so I won’t add to our troubles, but our potion storage box is no longer cooling as it should be. If we fall under siege, we may not be able to make and store potions ahead of demand.”

 “That sounds like a rather urgent problem.”

 “The ingredients are okay as long as we keep them dry and the appropriate nts tended, Commander. But, if we need long term potion storage, we will definitely be at a disadvantage.”

 “Noted. Let me know if the problem is resolved. I’ll put in another request for repairs.”

 Verbeinne bows, “Thank you, Commander. I’ll take my leave, then.”

 Leiwelles acknowledges her with a nod. She waits for Verbeinne to leave, and she peeks out of her window for a moment. Daniel is alone in his usual spot, where he sits ‘out of the way’ and watches the goings on. He has a small notebook that he made himself, and he’s studying it.

 “Let’s see where this mystery leads.”

 She finishes her report and signs it, walking it to her secretary. “See this sent out before tomorrow, if possible. And, please draft a repair request for the Quartermaster’s potion storage cooling unit. I’ll review and sign itter.”

 Her secretary replies warmly, “As you wish, Commander.”

 “I’m going to tour the yard. If you need me, I’ll be in the main courtyard.”

 “Of course, Commander. Shall I ring your escorts and mentees?”

 “That won’t be necessary. Just a leisure tour for myself.”

 “Yes, Commander. I’ll be here if you need anything.”

 “Thank you.”

 Leiwelles makes her way to where Daniel is sitting, approaching him from the side. She gets within a few steps of him, stating, “If you were on watch, you’d be an easy target.”

 Daniel replies, “If I was on watch, I’d obey the orders of a sentry, Commander.” He stands up and faces her, saluting as he’s seen others do. His posture is actually surprisingly good, as if he’s been a soldier in this world his whole adult life.

 “At ease. ‘Orders of a sentry’, you say?”

 Daniel nods respectfully. “Apologies. It’s from my old world. We had eleven general orders that we were meant to memorize and which detail how to respond to situations while standing watch.”

 “You were a soldier in your old world?”

 “Uh, military sailor, actually, Commander. And even then, my specific job on the ship is a little hard to exin.”

 “Please try. You’ve got me curious, now.”

 “Very well.” He looks around, nodding. “If you can, imagine please a metal shiprger than the length of this fortress, and about as wide as two of the barracks buildings together. Its height was probably… three times the watch tower? Maybe two. It’s been a while. On this ship, I ran the power house. For simplicity, it’s the closest thing we had to magic crystals, and it was enough power to move this ship through the water without sails.”

 “You’ve said a lot of things I don’t understand. A metal ship? Thatrge no less?”

 “Apologies, Commander. There’s not much to rte it to in this world to make it easier. But, my job was… I guess… kind of like a scribe, but also constantly controlling the non-magic magic crystal we used. Our enemies wereparable to ourselves, so it’s not a fairparison, but just the one ship I served on could conquer this entire continent alone. Dragons and all, I suspect.”

 The Commander understandably stares at him in disbelief. He’s not lying. His words ring truthful, and her special, god-given ability when she was born, is actually to detect lies and other deceptions magically. True, Daniel ims magic doesn’t work on him, so it could be that, but his words have no sounds of fiction to them, only a struggle to rte it to her well enough for her to picture. It’s a strange feeling being bewildered in this way.

 Daniel adds, “As for the orders of a sentry, while it wasn’t my specific job most of the time, it was still expected for us as basic training, because even if I wasn’t a fighter myself, I might need to pick up a weapon and defend my ship, my base, and my homnd. Even if I’d be terrible at it.”

 That part she understands, and she smiles and nods. “I see. I’m curious about these orders. What were they?”

 “I… I can do my best to write them down, if that’s alright, Commander. On the spot like this, and as long as it’s been, I’ll misquote them, I’m sure.”

 “Very well. I look forward to seeing what your world views as the duties of a sentry.”

 Daniel replies politely, “As you wish, Commander. Is there anything else I can do for you in the meantime?”

 “Actually, there’s one other thing.” She hands him a key. “The Quartermaster storehouse is locked one hour afterst bell, as I suspect you recall. It ispletely unmanned after men’s bathing hour.”

 “Commander? I… Why are you telling me this? What’s this key?”

 “Call it a… ‘Curiosity’. I want to test a theory. I have heard recently that the cooling unit for potion storage in the storehouse has failed to operate for several weeks, preventing the storage of potions. In peace times, this isn’t a crisis, but if we were to fall under attack…” She smiles cryptically at him.

 “I… don’t understand.” He averts his eyes for a moment, and he asks softly, “Couldn’t you give me permission to go in during the day?”

 “I could, but that wouldn’t sate my curiosity.”

 “Do… you mean the barracks and the bathhouse, Commander?”

 She smiles coyly. “Oh? So you’ve heard what happened?”

 Daniel looks away for a moment. “I don’t want to be used of brown-nosing, Commander. Uh, used of currying favor by shortcuts, that is. That’s… just not something I can do…”

 Her smile softens a little, but she’s still a little smug. “Then, it would seem after men’s bath is the appropriate time.”

 Daniel hesitates, but he nods in agreement. “I can’t promise anything. I’ll take a look tonight, Commander. May I report to you in the morning after breakfast?”

 She smiles and nods professionally. She turns away, adding over her shoulder, “Oh, and, please do a better job of not being seen skulking around at night, Daniel. Most of us are women here. We love to gossip.”

 Daniel stands silently for a moment, but he finally replies, “U-Understood, Commander.”

 She makes her way to a few other ces to actually perform a ‘tour’, and then returns to her office. Now, she just has to sit and await results.

 ****************

 Treia watches from her perch on the wilnd wall. She’s not on watch this particr night, but her friends are fellow night watchstanders, so it’s only natural she’d hang out with them while staking out her quarry.

 Dresteka approaches. “You’ve been up here all evening. What are you watching?”

 “Daniel. He’s always up to something, and tonight, I’m going to find out what.”

 “Daniel? Disgusting that the Commander lets him walk around freely… I’ve wondered why no one follows him beyond the gates and… ‘encourages’ him not toe back.”

 “I know why I don’t. The Commander would know immediately. Easier to try to get him kicked out, or to do it himself.”

 “Yeah, that’s fair.” The two watch idly towards the courtyard for a moment. Dresteka pats Treia’s shoulder, saying, “Well, good luck. If you need help, call out. We’ll tear him apart. Divine summon or not.”

 Treia confirms with a nod. She perks up. “He’s on the move! I’ll be back.” She quickly makes her way down to the ground, staying out of sight as she follows him. Daniel makes his way down into the smithy, which is typical. She listens for the sounds of hammers, but he doesn’t start working. Instead, he returns shortly after descending into the smithy pit, and he heads next for the Quartermaster’s storehouse. There, the Quartermaster has everything from potion ingredients and magic crystals, to nkets and clothes.

 Could he be nning to steal what he needs? Is he going to run? Ohhh, I got you now, Daniel.

 She follows a fair distance, observing from the shadows. Her gatonine eyes can see perfectly in the dark. However, he simply studies the door for a moment, and then makes his way back to the smithy. He descends back into the pit.

 This time, he’s gone for a long time. Still, she doesn’t hear the hammer, so she waits for him to leave. It’s the only exit from the smithy, so she can’t miss him.

 The minutes tick by slowly, and boredom threatens to set in. She’s a watchstander, so she’s used to it. But, he still doesn’t begin hammering.

 What is he doing down there? Should I go check? He can’t get out any other way, can he?

 After a little longer, Treia decides that she should check. It’s always possible he keeled over down there, which would be a big relief, and she wants the satisfaction of seeing it.

 She decides to act casual, like she has a reason to enter the smithy. She walks down in, saying as she does, “Oh, Daniel, fancy meeting…” She looks around. He’s nowhere in sight. The smithy is a good size, but there’s not that much space, especially not to hide in. She checks what few nooks and crannies there are, but there’s no sign of him.

 Just then, she spots the window. She wouldn’t want to climb through it, and she’s probably half his size. Regardless, it’s definitely possible, but it’s high uppared to the floor, and not an easy climb.

 He wouldn’t, would he? But… wouldn’t that mean he knows I’m watching?

 Treia dashes back outside, looking around frantically. Still, he’s nowhere in sight.

 She hears a metallic click from the direction of the Quartermaster storehouse, and she sprints there. She whispers sharply through the door, “Daniel! Daniel, I know you’re in there! Come out at once! I won’t have you executed for stealing! Do you hear me!?” She honestly hopes he doesn’t respond. “Daniel! Come out at once! I’m going to call the guards! I’m warning you…”

 She listens for a long time. Nothing. He must be hiding. “It’s not going to work! If you don’te out, I’m going to…”

 “Can I help you with something?”

 Treia jumps nearly six feet in the air as she throws herself away from the source of the male voice; the same voice belonging to the person she wholly believed was inside, but instead, was behind and to her right. She yelps, and she can feel the tingle in her tail; it’s puffed up as wide as it can go.

 Daniel states uneasily, “Apologies. I didn’t mean to startle you. Is something going on in the storehouse?”

 She stammers, pointing at the door, and then at Daniel, who she was certain until just now that he had managed to slip past her and get inside.

 She dissolves into anger, and she snarls in a low voice, “I don’t know how you did it, but I know you broke in! And, when they do inventory in the morning, I’m telling them it was you! The other watchstanders saw me the whole time, but not you! So, do you want to confess?”

 “I’d rather not confess to anything I didn’t do.”

 “I KNOW you weren’t in the smithy! You can’t fool me! Just you wait!” Treia storms off, leaving Daniel looking a little confused.

 ****************

 Leiwelles finds a curious sight as she’s walking to her office early in the morning. She slept in her own room for once, and she feels more refreshed than usual. As the rumors have said, the central air is working wonderfully in the barracks once more, making itfortable to sleep in and rx in.

 However, seated outside of her office door on the floor near the secretary’s desk is the otherworlder known as Daniel. He stands up, saluting. “Commander. I have to apologize.”

 “Apologize? Whatever for?”

 “I failed a part of… what I was doingst night. When I realized I was being observed, it was toote.”

 She looks around. With a sigh, she says, “Come in.” She unlocks her office and enters, allowing Daniel to pass through. She closes the door and states softly as she straightens her uniform more, “borate. What happened?”

 Daniel recounts the story. “One of the Watchstanders caught me when I first approached. I moved back to the smithy and used the window to escape her line of sight and enter the storehouse. But, she almost caught me as I was leaving the storehouse. She’s fairly certain I was inside.”

 Leiwelles cocks her head. “Did she see you enter or exit the storehouse?”

 “No, Commander. But, as I said, she’s confident, given the circumstances. I wanted you to hear of my failure, first.”

 “I guess that means you were unable to repair the cooler, then, huh?” She takes a seat, straightening the contents of her desk in preparation to begin her work.

 “No. It’s fixed, Commander. The mana crystal was seated incorrectly.”

 “I see. That’s unfo-... What did you say?”

 “It’s fixed, Commander. Thankfully, seating the mana crystal was easy, and I was able to slip past the watchstander again.”

 Leiwelles stares at him in disbelief. “You fixed it?”

 Daniel confirms politely. “Yes, Commander.”

 “It was… just one of the crystals?”

 “Yes, ma’am. I had to adjust the seat a little, but it was quick enough. I wanted you to hear of my mistakes before you heard it from anyone else. I believe I will be used of stealing.”

 Leiwelles sighs. “Did you take anything?”

 “No, Commander. I encourage a full inventory. Here is your key.” He returns the key, and she stares at it for a moment. She scoffs. “I can’t believe you fixed it while dodging a watchstander… Who was it?”

 “I don’t know, Commander.”

 “Why would you cover for someone hostile to you?”

 “I don’t believe she’s trying to kill me. I believe she thinks I’m a threat. She was doing what she thought was right.”

 “You could do better to stand up for yourself, Daniel.”

 Daniel smiles. “I’d rather tiptoe through a minefield, Commander. I’m not a foolhardy or particrly courageous sort.”

 She chuckles, but sighs after a moment. “Alright. Well, thank you for making the repairs. I’ll check with the Quartermaster for the inventory. Are you sure nothing was taken?”

 Daniel hesitates. He replies quietly, “I can only say I didn’t take anything. I can’t predict the oue of the inventory, Commander.”

 She frowns. “Well, at least you aren’t actually oblivious to how much some of the soldiers here dislike you.”

 “I’m trying to keep my head down and out of the way, Commander. I suspect my reputation is unforgivable.”

 “Have you tried exining?”

 “No.”

 “Why?”

 “I’d rather not say.”

 “You’re not giving me a lot of room to help you, Daniel, or incentivizing me to do so.”

 “That’s fine, Commander. Permission to carry on?”

 She frowns at him again, staring at him in silence for a moment. She replies a little coldly, “For now. You’rete for your station, aren’t you?”

 “I informed my supervisor, Commander. I’ll take my leave and return to my station. Excuse me.” He bows and leaves the room, heading for the dining hall once more.

 Leiwelles looks out her window towards the storehouse. Sure enough, exactly who she suspected is there speaking passionately, by the gestures, with Verbeinne.

 The Commander sighs. You’re not a bad person, Daniel. Why hide behind such a strange usation?

 ***

AliNovel

Chapter 15: The Mechanic Does His Best to Survive