Eigth Entry
#10 of The seven Days of Fire
Eigth Entry
"We had a stroke of luck. Instead of soldiers as expected, we came across refugees. A small group that has already made its way through Sepata. They must be heading in the same direction as us, they also want to get to Seruma. That's a good thing, a little company and the vehicle will make our journey easier. It's probably about 500 miles from here. The only problem is that their vehicle has engine trouble and they've been stuck here for two weeks. We will try to repair the engine. Our resources are quite limited, but with a bit of improvisation and dedication it will probably be up and running again. But at least our food problems are over for the time being. The lake offers an abundant supply of different types of fish and we have found fruit and vegetable fields in one of the abandoned gardens. We keep the few tinned and non-perishable foodstuffs we can find, and for the time being we keep to the fresh food. The army also seems to have last passed through here several weeks ago, as there are no more traces to be found. For the first time in a long time, a slight feeling of security creeps back into my thoughts, a pleasant if dangerous state of mind. But I let it happen, otherwise I will collapse at some point. I still can't quite share the optimism of my new companions. They think they are safe now that they are protected by soldiers from Ephtal. Admittedly, our fighting strength has increased considerably thanks to the new additions, but we're still a long way from being a match for a troop of Dragoons from Torekmetia. But I don't want such dark thoughts to dominate my thoughts right now, we have an engine to revive."
Hiredeki puts his book aside and stands up from the table in the workshop, where he has continued his diary sitting upright for the first time in a long time. While his colleague is already tinkering with the engine under the vehicle. From above, Hiredeki looks down at his colleague through the engine compartment.
"So how does it look? Is there any hope?"
His buddy puts the wrench aside for a moment to give a brief status report.
"Well, I don't know what they've done to the poor thing, but the engine's definitely fucked up. The head gasket is leaking so badly that we can't keep up with topping up the oil, the valve cover is cracked and the crankshaft bearings are practically non-existent. If, but only if, we can ever get this thing running again, then we'll be lucky if we make it to the border. Let's not even talk about crossing the border."
The deserter picks up his wrench again and continues trying to remove the crankshaft from its housing. Occasional swearing in an Ephtalian dialect testifies to the difficulty of the task. Meanwhile, Hiredeki takes a look at the upper part of the engine. His colleague had already removed the valve cover last night, but had not yet gotten around to checking the contents of the engine block. This is now done by Hiredeki, who removes the small springs from the valves with his nimble fingers and carefully places them next to him on a table. The two of them work on the engine all morning. By lunchtime, most of the engine has been dismantled and spread out on various tables. Hiredeki and one of the fugitives stand around one of these tables and try to remove a seized gasket without causing major damage to the engine block. Meanwhile, Hiredeki's buddy is cleaning various small parts and checking their functionality.
"Okay, take a break. There's food, unless you don't want anything, then there's more for us."
This exclamation comes from one of the women who is busy preparing lunch. The three mechanics turn to look at the pretty young woman standing in the entrance to the workshop, who is wiping her hands on her apron.
"Hmm, yes, I think we could do with a bite, what do you think?"
The sardonic, even leering grin on the faces of Hiredeki and his sidekick speaks more than a hundred words as they put the tools aside and walk after the woman towards the canteen.
...
After a hearty meal, the three "hobby mechanics" get back to work. But despite the break and the refreshments, the work progresses very slowly. There are no spare parts and the tools can only be described as meagre. The three men tinker with the vehicle late into the night until they finally give up, exhausted. Hiredeki leans on the table, on which a now completely dismantled engine block lies.
"OK. Let's leave it for today. This is getting us nowhere. We have to find something we can use as a seal first, otherwise we don't even need to continue."
His companions look at him, exhausted. They can only agree with him, without sealing material or at least something similar, they will never really get the engine running. Disgruntled, the three leave the workshop and make their way to the house. Most of the others are already asleep. Only one man is still on watch. Tired, he watches the three of them get rid of their dirty clothes and go to their bedchambers. Hiredeki and his companion share a small chamber. While his companion falls asleep quickly, Hiredeki stays awake for some time. He has some thoughts running through his mind, now that he has time to think, the thoughts come out of the corners of his consciousness and pester him. 'What will we do if we make it?', 'The Torekmetians will also invade Seruma as soon as they are sure of their cause here. And then?' ... His thoughts are going round in circles. Only when the first birds start chirping again does Hiredeki finally fall asleep. It is a restless and not particularly restful sleep.
...
Around midday, he is woken by his companion. Tired, Hiredeki blinks up at the oil-smeared man. He smiles at him.
"Up, up. Rise and shine. We still have a job to do. I think I've found a solution to our gasket problem."
Hiredeki is immediately wide awake. The gasket problem, solved? Hiredeki gets up quickly and grabs his clothes as he runs out, already starting to pester his companion. When they finally arrive at the workshop, Hiredeki can hardly believe his eyes.
"You cut up leather boots?"
His companion can't help but grin.
"Yes, the leather is properly greased to make it almost waterproof. Once it's cut into shape, it's only suitable as a seal to a limited extent. It won't last too long, but I think if we're careful it should last to the border. Or at least until just before."
Hiredeki is lost for words. He stands there with his mouth open and simply doesn't know what to say. He would never have dreamed of such a simple solution. But that doesn't matter now. Full of enthusiasm, they set to work getting the engine ready to drive again.
... to be Continued ...