"The area does have it's dangers, yes, but the scrap is secondary to the main reason we established this refuge. These people want no interactions with the outside universe, or " - looking at the marines clad in full gear - "as few as possible. This location almost assures complete isolation, which people are quite willing to pay for. And as for the scanners and weapons system, we have an improvised solution to the concerns you raised. This is why we insist on using a strict timetable for incoming vessels."
The man's resolve was unnerving. Going to the lower decks, Deidre was sure her offer would be rejected. But for a brief second, she thought she had seen a look - not fear - but hesitation. It had lasted a fleeting moment, and Lambert's face had hardened again.
She lead them to the lower floors. as she approached a large threshold almost ten metres wide, she stopped and turned back to the group. Sounds of tools - grinders maybe - and the occasional flash of orange spilled from beyond the aperture.
"Beyond here, the gravity is set to twenty percent of Houston surface gravity. That's not a malfunction, we do this deliberately as it makes handling large pieces of scrap metal much easier. Any usable parts, engine components for example, we pack into cargo pods ready for sale. Anything we can't use is jettisoned on a two hour cycle."
The workers were a mixture of men and women equiped with tools ranging from hand grinders to larger two-man hydraulic "snippers" used to detach large pieces of metal. Those that could see the group looked on, their expressions ranging from surprise to fear to open disapproval at the group of marines being lead about the station.
"This is the part of the station that makes its existence possible. Without the income generated from this work, we wouldn't be able to afford to supply and repair it. Don't worry about the dirty looks, that is my fault. I didn't know about the marine escort and didn't let our crew down here know. Their tenancy here is on the condition that we have as few visitors as possible. I'll likely hear their opinions on this armed inspection later."
Deidre pointed to the tools the onlookers were working on gesturing that they get back to work. Slowly they turned, resuming their tasks, mumbling amongst themselves. As they got back to work, she seemed to stand taller, that authoritive look returning.
