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On the Rim, Ch 55: Leo's Motivation

2020 copyright comidacomida

Thanks to the addition of the unidentified Gorumn prisoners the entire base was on edge, so much so that Leo constantly found himself the target for people to let out their frustrations. Several times before mid-day he was called out for being too slow, for being lazy, and for avoiding work. If it were any other day nobody would have noticed him slacking, but the extra levels of 'uptight' were so easily measured that it was almost unfair.

Still, as the day wore on people slowly started getting into a more normalized tempo and began focusing far more on their own activities than Leo's, and he finally had a chance to breathe. The Procurement Officer shifted his own attention more toward handling what REALLY mattered: the few stacks of smoke weed he'd managed to save from the electric fire a few days prior had finally dried to a level he liked, and his first and most important order of business was to handle processing them.

Fortunately, considering the overtime he'd been forced to work as the only security officer present while everyone else was out meant that he had some R&R coming. Then again, he realized, considering their shortage of manpower to run the shifts, he'd likely be drafted to take his turn at watch. As such, the Lion sequestered himself away in the back hall past Ben's tomb; few people bothered using the back tunnels, and he'd be more likely to get some real work done without interruption.

By the time the early afternoon arrived, Leo had completed wrapping leaves and buds together, creating almost three dozen quality joints for use when the opportunity arrived. Considering he still hadn't been called for a shift, the Lion came to conclusion that it qualified and so he lit up. Three puffs into his personal recommended daily dose, the Lion realized that the smoke weed wasn't the only one of his projects that had likely reached fruition, and so he made his way back to an adjoining chamber where he'd set his brewing barrels and, with his fat, cigar-like joint sticking out the side of his muzzle, he began excavating the large barrels that held what he hoped was a quality homemade brew.

Putting in some quality effort, it took nearly an hour for Leo to properly bottle his custom beer. While it wasn't as refined as the stuff from a 'real' brewery, the flavor was there, and the Lion finished his task by enjoying one of them, thankful that the fabricator could create a serviceable glass bottle out of the materials available on Planet A. Leaning against the last empty cask, he enjoyed the moment.

Savoring both the beer and a second smoke weed joint, he nevertheless resolved to give it his all and, after the short break, he redoubled his plan and headed off to the supply room to see if any more wild hops had been discovered. It had, and so he picked through it until he got enough to go add to his homemade brewery. On his way back to the side passage he was intercepted by Captain Archibald. "Drop whatever you're doing and come with me. The Overseer is expecting cargo from an orbital trader."

A number of thoughts ran through Leo's head, all related to explaining that what he was doing was important, but he realized that saying something along those lines would probably get the Captain wondering and too many questions usually resulted in a lower quality beer or, worse: no beer at all. Setting his wooden crate aside, the Lion nudged it with his foot until it was up against the wall. "You got it, Cap'n."

The two headed out into the open where Cole and Duct-Tape were already standing surrounded by a collection of unrefined ores and animal skins. Leo smirked to himself; back when he was doing requisitions there had been a longstanding joke that some of the most valuable items were unprocessed ones since they were so hard to come by. Considering that, he wasn't surprised how easy it was for the group to gain the attention of traders passing by-- the constant trades of pelts, skins, and furs attested to that. He did notice something however. "I thought we were using all the metals we collect... the Overseer is always talking about--"

Duct-Tape interjected. "We really needed some advanced components for the magnetic shield I'm building, and they weren't going to trade them unless they could get some ore out of the deal too."

Captain Archie cut the discussion there. "Cut the chatter... drop pod's coming down."

Everyone gave the transport plenty of room as its thrusters fired, decelerating it rapidly as it came in for a landing. Leo had a personal hatred of drop pods but he grit his teeth and weathered its arrival, arm up in front of his face to shield it from the powerful sandblasting it offered as an 'added bonus' to everyone gathered up to attend it. Once it had come to rest and its thrusters turned off the Lion waited another few seconds for the dust to settle before lowering his arm. "I hate these things."

Everyone got right to work and, considering the work detail was so small, that meant Leo was also obliged to help. He lined up so that he could accept items from Duct-Tape, who stood among the items to be traded and toss them to Cole, who was waiting at the opening of the pod. Discussion was fairly absent until Duct-Tape spoke up. "Anyone ever hear stories of people trying to hitch a ride on one of these?"

Leo couldn't help himself, a wide grin splitting his muzzle in two as he accepted a bundle of furs from the Fox before tossing them to the Stallion. "Yeah... when you've been a part of the supply chain long enough you hear things. Never ends well though."

The Fox handed him a bundle of untreated skins. "Yeah... no life support, I bet."

Cole accepted the parcel from Leo and continued the discussion, calling to Duct-Tape. "The temperature shielding would be fine and the oxygen MIGHT last, but the real problem is that most drop pods aren't grav shielded... the kinds of G-force you'd face when the engines kick in just isn't safe."

Since the Stallion had been kind enough to take over the conversation Leo was content to hear his input on the matter; Cole was far more knowledgeable about the equipment involved so he just saved his own breath for working instead. It took another twenty minutes to finish with the drop pod since they also had to unload it as well. Once they were done they all moved back to a safe distance and, rather than bother watching it take off, Leo headed straight back into the cave system before anyone could suggest other projects for him.

He got away from the Captain, but he ended up almost walking right into the Overseer. She didn't let him take more than a step away from her before she called to him. "Mr. Calico... a word, please?"

Letting out a centering breath to hide how perturbed he was at the constant interruption, he turned to regard her, and then noticed that she was holding his box of hops. Maintaining his cool he inquired "Ma'am?"

She looked down at the crate she was holding. "Do you know anything about this?"

He nodded; Leo was not a liar. "Yes, Ma'am. I was carrying it when the Captain recruited me to help with the drop pod."

The Overseer slid the crate into his paws and, for a moment, the Lion thought that the exchange went surprisingly easy, but she followed up with another question. "And why were you taking a box of hops out of storage?"

Leo figured the answer would have been obvious, but he maintained his respectful tone as he responded "Because I am putting it to use. Only Cole would bother eating hops, but all of us can drink beer."

Her expression was etched in stone, and entirely unreadable. After several seconds, however, she raised an eyebrow. "You're making beer?"

He felt no reason to hide his successes. "Already did... this'll be the second batch."

The Overseer shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she folded her arms across her chest. "I see... and where is the beer? Is there any reason it isn't in the common storage room?"

Offering her his best smile, the Lion gestured toward the side hall. "I was actually wanting to talk to you about that."

"I suppose you would, wouldn't you?"

Leo motioned around at the cave system with a wide gesture. "You notice how everyone's been lately? With all the stuff going on I'm not surprised how uptight and stressed the group is right now."

She didn't seem engrossed in his theatrics. "...and?"

He offered an even more endearing smile. "I wanted your permission to host a party tonight... give everyone a chance to relax, unwind, and let off some steam. A really nice dinner... a beer or two, and some smoke weed and I--"

The Overseer's other eyebrow rose to match the first one. "Smoke weed?"

Leo didn't let his smile falter. "I also cured some smoke weed. It'll do everyone some good to let loose."

They stood facing one another for several long seconds. A number of thoughts flowed through the Procurement Officer's mind; Sandra could take it all to trade; she could berate him and send him to do some very unpleasant duty; she could threaten to have him punished military style. Eventually, however, she uncrossed her arms. "Alright. If you're hosting a party then I'll expect you to make good on it. Tonight it is."

She walked off without another word, leaving him a little confused, dazed, but mostly stuck with the realization that all of his hard work was going to be put to use benefitting the group rather than just himself. He could have been set back far worse, but, considering the party would most likely bankrupt his personal supplies, he was disappointed plenty.