Aug 06 16:42:04 108 PA - Let's Make a Deal, if it's Possible
From Chronicles
Aug 06 16:42:04 108 PA.
NEAR UNCOMMON MECHANICS
Galvin is sitting on a folding chair out in front of his garage. He has a soda bottle to one side of his chair as he watches the non-stop bustle out on the landing strip. His feet are sprawled out in front of him crossed. Music wafts out from the garage to join the noise that is pretty constant on the landing strip.
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp go Pavel's feet as he moseys down the mechanic's row, looking for his friend. << Galvin!! >> is called, a big hand waved. << Business must be good, if you can be relaxing like this! I have an idea to talk about. >> He hurries over and sits down without further words, arranging his tool belt so that it doesn't get in his way.
Galvin spots the large Pavel easily. He raises his own hand to give the big man a wave. <<Hi Pavel. How are you doing?>> He asks in Euro before picking up his soda to take a drink. <<Oh what did you want to talk about?>> He asks after taking a sip from his drink.
Pavel holds up a hand, blocking out the sun for a moment. << Look, a hawk. >> A quiet moment of contemplation follows, then, << I can make excellent pieces of armor. I can make chain mail armor. But I don't have the ability to make it environmental, and I understand that most people want that ability. I'm curious as to whether or not perhaps the two of us could get together and figure out how to put our skills together. Could you put my plates together to make a suit of armor? >>
Galvin looks up briefly at the sky before turning his attention back to Pavel. <<Sure I would need parts to make armor environmental. But I am sure I could put armor suits together. The question is not if we can put armor together it is if we could make money doing it. I mean it is pretty rare for some of the people to buy stuff. I get lots of business from strangers, but I'm not sure if they would buy our armor. It could be worth a shot though.>>
<< Hmm, perhaps. Perhaps if we could guarantee that it would be of a strange, but superior quality? I'm getting stronger, I might be able to, just as an example, provide you with a suit of armor that - on my end - would be only half the weight. >> Pavel grins widely. << People might be interested in that. Of course it's true, they'd have to know about us in the first place. >>
<< I think we might have a market. Let's try making one suit and see what we can do with that. Once we have made one suit, and made some credits off of it we can try to do more.>> Galvin says after thinking for a moment. <<Well can get right to work on that if you want. >>
Pavel nods with some excitement. << What would you need from me, to make it go faster? I can make things big and small, blunt or detailed, and even fit them together. But armor isn't the kind of thing I do. What would you need from me? >>
<< Well we will need lots of armor plating. We will need to get parts for making the armor environmental. Also we will need to decide what type of armor we want to make. Heavy armor, or lighter armor. >> Galvin says after adjusting his glasses with a finger.
<< I can make whatever you think is possible. I guess it comes down to what someone is willing to carry on your shoulders. One good thing, though? >> Pavel says, holding up a finger, << I can make it so that it would be silent. Like walking down the street naked, or at least close. That would be worth something to someone. However... >> the big man allows his gaze to drift off. << I could never sell such a piece to someone if I didn't know that they wouldn't turn it against innocents. I would want to call in someone who could read minds. In the Federation, there were mages and psychics who could do that. I would never let my constructs be turned against good. >>
<< Well lets just try to do something simple, and if that works we can try it make something more complex or more interesting. I'll have to figure out how much plating we will need. Let's try making some heavy armor. I think that might sell a little better. Let's start shaping and working on the plate then we can put all the seals and back up oxygen tanks on it. >> Galvin says after rubbing his chin with one hand.
Pavel nods again, glances at the hawk, then looks back down. << You have another one of those? >> He stabs a finger in the direction of Galvin's soda. << How much do you think we could sell it for? My wares usually go for good prices. In fact, those of us Kuznya who are less scrupulous live like kings. The simple materials on my end are very cheap. >>
<< Well that is the shitty part of it. Unless we can get someone we know interested in it. We won't be able to sell it for very much at all. >> Galvin says with a shrug of his shoulders. << The market isn't exactly kind. >>
The big man nods. << That's true, I'm sure. Perhaps this is a good idea that will never see the light of day. At least, not until your shop here starts turning a tidy profit, and you can then expand into the arms market, >> Pavel says with a grin.
<< Well it is at least worth a try. If it doesn't work out then it doesn't work out. >> Galvin says with a smile and a nod of his head. He gets out another bottle of soda and tosses it to Pavel. << There you go. Well making weapons needs a lot more machinery then I have. >>
Pavel catches the bottle by the neck, and retrieves a pair of bolt-cutters from his belt to remove the cap. << Thanks. Water bottle's empty. >> He pats a small thermos at his side. << Depends on what kind of weapon you want, I think. If it doesn't need much in the way of electronics, I'm very good. If not? I'm terrible! HA! >> He sips at the soda. << But, on the subject of weapons, I also have an idea. >>
<< Well I modify modern weapons. Not a lot to change about a sword. >> Galvin says with a bit of a laugh in his voice as he chuckles. << Oh what is your idea about weapons? >> He asks as he takes another sip from his soda.
The big man grins. << I hear that they make swords now that are electronic? Seems like a waste. >> Pavel smirks and drinks. << My idea? It's about killing vampires. I don't like vampires. I make things out of silver all the time, just for the purpose of hunting and killing them. Small groups can do that going after individuals, but I've heard that down south, or maybe even here in the area you call the 'Dregs, they come in packs? Is this true? >>
Galvin shrugs his shoulders as he shakes his head. << Sorry I don't really know a lot what is happening with vampires. I haven't heard if there are a lot down in the dregs or not. I guess if you want to make silver weapons that would be good, but I am not really able to forge weapons in that sort of way. >>
Pavel shakes his head. << I'm sorry, I misspoke. I make the weapons. Hammers, swords, knives, staves, arrowheads, whatever. But I'm worrying that if vampires came en masse, it would be a problem. I have been seeing these hand grenades, and things called Claymores. Wondering if silver could be substituted for the steel ball bearings and outer shell of a fragmentation device. I can't pack the explosives or the timer, though. >>
<< Well I don't really have a lot of demolitions skills. I am sure that you could make frag grenades or Claymores using silver shot. Just have to make sure the silver isn't too soft. I am sure it would work though. >> Galvin says after shrugging his shoulders.
The large man nods, and starts to rise. << At least I can perhaps sell you some high-quality steel for only a 300 percent mark-up? >> Pavel grins, very widely. << I could be a wealthy man, if I were the unscrupulous type. I can turn thirty-credits into three-thousand credits in about an hour. But.. I don't know your technology. Perhaps I'll learn someday. >>
<< Well working together we can help make up for each others weaknesses. I've got the tech side covered for sure. >> Galvin says with a smile. << You taking off? >> He asks as he finishes up the rest of his soda.
Pavel rises and starts to move off. << Sure am! Just wanted to talk to you about the grenades and armor before getting back to work. Take care, Galvin! >> Then he's off, his long legs making even a jog move quickly.
