Chapter 333: Builder
Jace moved through the warehouse quietly going toward the metal stairs that lead up to the platform that the maintenance people use for the Titan-Class Mech. As he walked up the stairs quietly he moved to a spot behind some equipment as a pair of people were standing on the railing looking at mech from behind.
"Are we sure it is ready for deployment? Can we trust him?" The first one speaking was the mech pilot they were planning to assassinate during tomorrow’s parade. If all went right they would be cutting him down during his speech.
The other person was a woman with a white labcoat and her black hair done up in a bun. She had a pencil slid over one of her ears and a clipboard in her hands. "We can’t trust him completely but we can trust his work. None of my people have found any faults with his work. We went all over it with a fine tooth comb. There are some things we did not understand at first, but after a bit of work we realized it was just a more advanced application of things we have done before."
"Of course his work is quality. We knew that in the first place. It was the reason we brought him here and made him work on this top secret project. Development of a new Titan-Class Mech has not been done in years by any of the nations. But this guy made it look like child’s play, all the way from the design to the manufacturing." The mech pilot sighed, "But that was not what I was asking. I was asking if we can trust him, not if we can trust his work. How well do you know him on a personal level?"
It seems the Republic got an incredible engineer and was holding them against their will to have them make things. He should probably spend some time investigating this after he completes his sabotage mission.
"You will know soon enough. It appears he has arrived." The woman answered with a mumble as Jace peaked in the direction they were looking and saw a short figure being escorted by a pair of guards to the stairs. "Try not to insult his work. I do not want to listen to another rant about putting his pride in his work."
The figure was soon walking up the stairs. The pair of guards waited on the bottom while the figure hobbled up the stairs with grunts. Then when he arrived at the top and walked toward the duo Jace got his first clear look of the man.
He looked like a human but he was just a bit bigger than a four foot person and he was wider. Not wider as in fatter. But wider as in broad shoulders and an abundance of muscles. He had a single leather vest matched with long pants and a pair of boots. His arms were visibly scarred with tattoos and a beard that was heavily coated in oils that Jace could smell from his position. While his head was bald and shiny.
He walked past Jace and stopped for a moment before continuing. Jace saw him tilt his head when he walked past Jace’s position like he noticed something was wrong. He looked human but it appears he noticed something was wrong. He might have even noticed Jace.
"What do you want now?!?" The smaller human’s voice was matched with a growl as he spoke. "I already built your damn monstrosity. Don’t tell me you want another one." He chuckled as he picked up a large wrench and pointed at the mech. "Because I refuse to make another one of these things. This is the worst thing I have ever built."
"You say that... but what about that space ship we pulled you out of. That one was falling apart as we yanked you out of the pilot’s seat." The mech pilot pointed out with a chuckle. "Are you telling me that this mech is worse than that?"
"In terms of overall design it is what you humans might consider a masterpiece. But we Dwarves consider something like this a waste. It is a giant useless piece of junk. Not everything bigger means better. Hell, we even know those aliens you despise know that. What are they called again... The Victorium? Anyways our people met their champions when they were going beyond their borders. They knew how to get stronger." The self claimed Dwarf declared as he walked along to an empty spot along the railing and slammed the wrench down, denting the railing.
"We get it. But this will beat any other mech design or spacecraft you have seen the designs for?" The mech pilot asked, clearly feeling annoyed. "I do not really give a shit about your personal taste."
"Ahh... Blow it out your backside will yee!" The Dwarf switched to a different accent as he spoke. "Yeah it will work. But keep in mind this is for the kid and no one else. I owed him for pulling me out of the ship as you said." He grunted and then waved at them. "Is that all or can I give this thing one last look before you send the kid off to battle in your place?"
The mech pilot frowned and then shook his head. "Fine. But if he dies in battle then you die for your failure as his mechanic. Remember that you damn Dwarf." He then walked away moving past Jace and down the stairs.
Then the scientist patted the Dwarf on the shoulder. "Are you sure there is no way I could convince you to do some more? If the Republic upper brass no longer sees a use for you they will just get rid of you." She reminded him.
"Nay Lass, I have fulfilled my debt. I am fine to embrace death now." The Dwarf chuckled. "You know I was in that experimental ship in the first place because I was convicted of a crime."
"I am aware. The Republic learned of it after recovering the ship’s operational box. You were sent on a ’doomed voyage’ as a form of punishment." The scientist seemed sad for a moment before she turned away and walked to the stairs. "Please tell me if you change your mind." She then walked away.