Page 12 of Sway’s Peace (Delivery Service #2)

“Of course,” she nodded along tapping quickly, loudly, on her tablet. “You mind if I get my droid in here? He will help document everything in the ship as we go through and talk about the upgrades you’re wanting.”

“He?” He chuckled. “Is that a human trait, to personify your machines?”

“It is, in fact,” she chuckled, summoning the robot to come floating up the ramp.

It was large, about the size of her torso, and hovered at a pretty stable height off the ground.

It hummed with a deep rumble and had cameras on all four sides and at the top.

“Let me bring up your appointment notes real quick... So, you’re wanting a crystal replacement for your subspace generator, shielding upgrades, life support replacement, and, if it falls in budget, a new food synthesizer. Is that all?”

He inclined his head, shiny black eyes still trained directly on her. “That about covers it.”

“Okay,” she gave him a bright smile, trying to fall back into her script and not be focused on the way his long feathers moved in the air rushing from through the vents overhead. “Do you have all the public areas opened and accessible?”

“Everything is set as requested. Engine is off as well, and all computer systems put into override mode for you to access as you need.”

“Great! I’ll have my little buddy start his scan in here, while we make our way through the ship.

All the public areas will need to be scanned.

For your protection as well, to make sure that no damage is done to your ship during repairs, and that everything is back to the way it was, or better, when we leave. ”

“Feel free,” he swept his arm out, giving her such a warm, gentle look as she started the recording process.

It didn't take long, but they still had to stand there for a few seconds while her bot started its job. Sway was staring at her, his gaze soft and tender. And she found that she really didn't mind.

Biting her lip, she started going through her tablet. Trying really hard not to stare back at him. That wouldn’t be appropriate or professional. No matter how much she enjoyed the way he looked at her first.

“So,” she started, needing to fill the tension between them with something , “are you set on having a new food synthesizer, or are you open to used and refurbished models?”

“We don’t mind something used. Ours is… outdated.”

“What model are you using?”

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “The galley is just this way if you’d like a look.”

“Oh, absolutely,” she beamed, following after him as he headed for the doorway into what would be the main hall of the ship. “Depending on your available space and budget, we have some really great options that are used but still have a lot of life left in them.”

“It certainly would be a welcome change. Ours is very slow, it doesn’t have much memory space, and the food all tastes artificial, like the nutrition powder.”

Grace understood why immediately when they turned into the room that held the machine in question.

The galley itself was rather small, with enough room for the synthesizer, one small table, and two stools.

It didn't look like anyone spent a lot of time in here.

And the tight space ruled out more than a few options for new synthesizers.

But she barely registered that as she frowned at the one in there currently. Astounded.

“This thing still functions?” She asked, amazed, tapping the side of it. “It’s got to be as old as this starship itself!”

“Wouldn't surprise me,” Sway said, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, as he watched her with no small amount of amusement.

“I don’t think they even make this model anymore,” she breathed in wonder. “How is it still working?!”

“Badly,” he chuckled.

She believed it. Starships were built to last. A two hundred year old starship wasn’t particularly common, but nor was it unbelievable.

The cost of making these ships, the need for them to be unfailing and sturdy, meant that one that was maintained properly could have a life of five hundred years or more.

But food synthesizers? Those had a life span of only ten or twenty years – maybe twenty-five if you could afford a commercial grade one. The process of turning nutrition powder into consumable, tasty products clogged and deteriorated the machine very badly over time.

To see one this old was crazy. To know it still worked and made food was concerning. Grace didn't think she’d trust anything this machine put out.

Frowning, she stepped back and looked at the space where the machine was located.

It was smaller than most models built these days.

Probably because it lacked an isolation chamber that the newer models incorporated to try to prevent food breakdown of the components.

Those also made for easier cleaning and maintenance.

Thinking, she started going through the station inventory selection as she returned to Sway’s side. She turned, letting him see what she was doing. Trying, and failing, not to be aware of his closeness as he looked over her shoulder.

“I think I can actually get you a really good deal on a refurbished model. Now, it is a little older. It’s seven years old and it was in heavy use on a pleasure cruiser for pretty much that entire time.

But it was very well maintained and with the refurbishment, they estimate that it has at least another ten to fifteen good years in it.

And, as a bonus, the memory banks weren’t cleared when it was refurbished, so it actually has a robust library of recipes that were curated to appeal to many different species.

Here, what do you think? It’s bigger than your current model, but I believe we can put it here right there on the long wall, if you’re willing to move the table and stools. ”

Sway’s warmth brushed up against her side, setting all her nerves on high alert, as he looked closer at the screen.

Grace gave him a nervous smile while her heart pattered quickly in her chest. She forced herself to ignore it as she showed him the model that had been waiting years in storage for someone willing to overlook the miles put on it.

“How much is it?” Sway asked low and sensual, right there in her ear. His voice was so sweet. A deep, rich tenor that made her eyes want to shut so she could just listen to him talk.

But she didn’t as she tried instead to focus on the question he’d asked. “It’s only thirty-two hundred credz, actually.”

“Really?” He repeated, surprised. “We were willing to pay double that for a good, used one.”

“Well, its age and the heavy use it was under meant most weren’t really willing to buy it, so the cost has come down a few times. But if you compare it to this thing here…”

Both of them looked up at the ancient, beaten up synthesizer. Honestly, an old-fashioned stove would have been an improvement on that thing.

“I think it’s perfect,” Sway said, looking back at her with a pleasant smile.

Her heart skipped, like he might have been talking about her and her smile widened a bit too quickly. “Great! I’ll just tag it for your use and have it sent up from inventory. And that monstrosity can go to the museum where it belongs.”

He chuckled, giving her an appreciative look. “Thanks. That is definitely in our budget. And very much appreciated. I’ve almost forgotten what normal food tastes like.”

“Yeah, of course,” she said, smiling despite herself, so wide her cheeks felt the burn of it. “Erm, so, shall we go on to the next place?”

“Yes. Engine room access is right down this way.”

She followed him back out, checking on her drone. It was busy puttering away, getting all the recordings it needed. It had been working even as they talked in the galley, so by the time she was following Sway up one level and into the engine room, it was already within, recording.

She frowned, gazing around at the chaotic area. “What is this?”

“Ah. Vytln uses this room as a workspace,” Sway said, following her gaze to the multitude of projects and machines spread out all over the room. Including what appeared to be a massive metal ball of junk all welded together taking up an entire wall.

But Grace didn't really care about that.

Her attention was on the opposite side of the room.

One half of the space had the actual engine room entrance, but aside from the two jutting walls, the space was open.

Completely open! Just like that! So easily accessible!

Not even a door. And it was ridiculously hot in here.

It felt like Grace had just stepped into an oven.

“What happened to the shields?” She asked, giving Sway an incredulous look.

“Old.” He shrugged. “Mostly still functional, but not great. We were hoping to get those replaced as well.”

“It’s definitely necessary,” she frowned, walking closer to the engine room entrance. “If you’re leaking this badly, you could really damage the rest of the ship.”

The massive machine inside was still pumping out a ton of heat, even though it had been fully powered down.

The engine was old, likely as old as the ship itself, but it appeared in good condition.

Even though there were obvious parts where things had been replaced and repaired, it clearly did its job and did it well.

Still…

“When was the last time the engine was serviced?”

Sway shook his head, shrugging his shoulders at the same time. Surprising her. Those were human moves. How did he know how to do that?

She didn’t get to ask as Sway said, “Vytln does all the engine maintenance. As far as I know, we’ve never had it professionally serviced, but he keeps it working well. How much would it cost to service here?”