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Doc was offended but said nothing nor showed it as they continued their looking about the base. As they searched, more of the lighting came online.
"Sir," came a voice over Doc's com, "we've got the main reactor online. We just need to work on some more of the power couplings."
Doc answered into his com, "Mr. Sloan, keep up the good work and keep me posted."
Doc followed closely behind Thing, letting her see what was next. As they looked, he commented, "Medicine a weapon. Well that's news to me. For those who can afford it? So is that since I never charged a credit for my work. Mark my word, young lady, that you or your people won't be forgotten about if I have my way out here."
Doc then made a sarcastic remark under his breath although it was audible to Thing, "Damned house medical staff seem to have forgotten about their oaths."
"Well, we have main power so it seems," he said aloud to Thing, "looking about just got easier."
She shook her head at his last comment, choosing not to say anything more about it. Thing smiled as the the lights lit up the room, genuinely happy to see the progress they had already made on the station. She couldn't determine whether the room was a communications center or somewhere research had been done.
Thing walked across to the computer systems lining one of the walls, trying to figure out what they were used for "You are a good man Doctor Holiday.... I don't understand why you want to help, but I do appreciate it." She went to pick up some notes but quickly pulled her hand back, swearing under her breath. She noticed the loose wires and shook her head, while rubbing the back of her hand "well.... there is certainly some power here...."
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He noticed the quick pull back of her hand and jumped on his comm badge.
"Mr. Sloan, until repairs are made up here, keep only emergency lighting on up here. There are a lot of bare wires around here."
"Yes, Sir," came the response.
He then approached her. Examining her hand he checked to see that she wasn't hurt. With a gentle smile, he released her hand and looked about the room they were in as the emergency power stayed on while the main went off line.
"It would appear this was a communications center of sorts," he spoke in thought. He looked a little harder, "Looks like it was part of the medical and research area. Deep Space Engineering is well known for it. As to what they were researching way out here is beyond me."
He looked again at some of the damage. He had made some field repairs in the past on his ship and had learned a thing or two from his engineers. In the mess he found a small tool kit. He handed Thing a flash light and motioned her over.
"Point that where I'm working. I want to try something."
He studied the wires, where they came from, where they went and if they were grounds. He tied wires together that matched and tied off those that didn't. He called to his engineer to restore power to the room he was in. Some life breathed into some of the items in the room but not all. While he had made a simple repair, much work needed to be done. The power was again shut down and a request made to have one of the engineers to come up to work in the area.
Thing bit her lip as he examined her hand. "It's fine.... really. I just gave myself a fright." Once he lets her hand go she had a look at it herself before rubbing it again. "I should have been more careful anyway."
She frowned when he mentioned what the room was likely to be used for, before shrugging it off, deciding some things are best left unanswered. Taking the flashlight, she pointed it to where he had told her to. She looked impressed when some of the machines lit up and began to work. "Is there anything you can't do, Doctor Holiday?"
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He snickered a bit at her praise. "Unfortunately, this is the extent of my electrical knowledge." He then motioned to the many non-working things about them, "what little I do know is from field repairs on my ship or maybe something around the house. On more than one occasion I've taken a hard asteroid on my ship, a cruise disruptor or stray gun fire and it was either learn quick or die."
Then he thought about what she asked. What I can't do started ringing through his mind. He had accomplished much in his life but he was far from being God.
What couldn't he do? Well, he was failing at marriage, failing to keep his practice alive on Canaria and he had, in his mind, failed to keep TAZ alive after the death of Malaclypse. A voice inside his head scolded him, "and now look at the company you're in." Doc's mental discipline stood firm however and he ignored it.
"Well, there's little else we can do here, where to next?" he asked of Thing.
Thing nods "I can understand that. It is a good skill to have.... Being able to do small repairs." She watched him with a slight frown, wondering what he was thinking. She smiled slightly at him and carried on looking through the room. "It's a little cold.... Do you mind if we head back for a while?"
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"Of course," he responded, "it is kinda cold with much of the environmental still out."
Together, they made their way back, side by side, making small talk. Doc kept his hands behind his back just enjoying the chat.
He had forgotten for a few moments his worries and just loosened up a bit as they returned to the lounge. It was comfortable and there was food and drink there. His feet were tired and figured hers was too. He grabbed a few hour de' ouvers and set them on a table then, grabbed a bottle and two glasses. He pulled her seat out and offered it to her.
Thing too was enjoying the chat. She noticed the change in temperature as they entered the lounge, it was much more comfortable then the rest of the station. She hesitated slightly as he pulled the chair out for her, she wasn't use to anyone doing that for her. She took a seat and smiled "Thanks."
After looking around the room quickly, she turned back to him. "So, do you think you will be able to fix this place up enough to be usable... For what you need it for?"
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Doc nodded, "No doubt in my mind. It'll take some time but already main power is working. I'll keep my engineers here to make repairs and such."
He then leaned on the table, his forearms holding up his weight while his glass rested in between his hands.
"I purposely kept the team small out of respect for the rogues," he explained, "enough to get things working but not enough to make a big presence or open suspecting eyes. I was hoping that maybe some Rogue engineers would join them as a show of unity." He smiled lightly, "It's long overdue for the Rogues and Zoners to build some mutual trust and respect."
"Asides the repairs, what will make a huge difference is supplies," he continued, "consumer goods, medical goods, food stuffs and other basic needs. I plan to go to Rochester to get them. I figure, some good sheets, curtains, carpets and such will liven the place up a bit."
He then smiled at her, "And a female's touch will help as well."
Thing nodded, rubbing the back of her neck. A scar was visible across her throat. "Well, we appreciate you keeping this low key. The less attention we get, the better it is for everyone. As for engineers, I'm sure we can organize something...." She had decided only people she trusted would be given the chance to work here.
She had a sip of her drink and smiled. "same with a woman's touch... If you really want one. That is something I'm not too bad at" She shrugs slightly before having another sip of the drink.