Post by Cid Highwind on Jan 26, 2013 14:43:44 GMT -5
Cid stood on the metal platform and stared at his predicament. He hadn't moved for upwards of half an hour, the flight computer junction box hung open in front of him. Wires splayed out and mocked him with their dysfunction. He'd been attempting to complete his design for the Tiny Bronco II for nearly a year now and still was having control-ability issues. Something about unintentional barrel rolls just made his skin crawl. To make matters worse, it seemed that a highly motivated rat had found its way into the junction box, got himself tangled, then chewed his way back to freedom. Fantastic. Cid took multiple deep breaths in an attempt to defeat his building rage. He drew his pack of cigarettes from their usual spot; held against the side of his head by his old aviator goggles, and tapped them a few times against the palm of his opposite hand. He drew a single cigarette and pressed it between his lips while he returned the pack to its momentary resting place.
The frustrated pilot shoved his right hand into his pocket and fumbled around for his silver lighter. After a few short moments he drew the small square object out of his pocket and lit his cigarette. Cid took a deep drag to calm his reeling nerves, though it didn't seem to help much. "&%$#@*% good for nothing rats!" He shouted in frustration as he kicked the hanging metal panel that usually encased the junction box. On the bright side he knew what the root of this particular issue was. On the other end, he knew there was many more that had yet to be discovered. He just wasn't the same when Shera wasn't there to look at the big picture. All issues aside, his wife was a great scientist and had a knack for these sorts of issues. Cid was an expert at getting hunks of metal to fly, but recent advancements in technology had proven somewhat difficult for him to keep up with alone.
Shera had been away for upwards of a month on her sabbatical. They talked every night on the phone but he still missed her in more than one way. For now he had to find a way to do this on his own. Cid exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke and reached into the junction box. He wrapped his gloved hand around two of the chewed copper wires and ripped them out. Materials were scarce, he knew he'd need more. He gathered his tools, placed them back into his bag and rattled down the stairs of the metal scaffolding all the way to the ground. Ever since he could remember, Cid had been buying his supplies from the same guy in Rocket Town. No doubt he would have more than enough copper wire to press on with his repairs. Once his boots hit the dirt, Cid walked over to his old rusted truck and threw his tool bag in the back with a loud clang.
The driver side door groaned in pain as it opened and the pilot took his seat inside. He pulled the key out of the cup holder and pushed it into the ignition. There really had never been any thieves to worry about in rocket town; plus everybody knew not to steal from him. Cid turned the key and the truck sputtered pathetically, made a loud popping noise, then shut back off entirely. For a few moments Cid sat unmoved, soaking in the irony of his now officially dead truck. After another deep, calming drag Cid shoved the truck door back open and marched towards the hood of the vehicle. He pulled open the rusted hood like it owed him money and began beating the engine senseless with his fist. "You &*$%#@% sunnuva &*%&$! START!" his obscenities carried well into town, causing various people to stop and shake their heads in the direction of Cid Highwind's home. Surely enough, after a few well aimed blows the engine sputtered once more and fired up. Cid rested his hands a moment on the open hood, pleased with his work. After reveling in victory he proceeded to shut the hood and walked back over to the door. Cid pulled on the silver handle, but the door didn't budge.
Again he pulled with the same result. The keys remained visible through his yellow smoke tinted windows; still in the ignition. "I've had it. Shera, you better be on your way back soon before the house starts falling apart." Cid groaned angrily to himself. The sound of glass shattering and further obscenities broke the silence of rocket town yet again. This time, no-one reacted.
The frustrated pilot shoved his right hand into his pocket and fumbled around for his silver lighter. After a few short moments he drew the small square object out of his pocket and lit his cigarette. Cid took a deep drag to calm his reeling nerves, though it didn't seem to help much. "&%$#@*% good for nothing rats!" He shouted in frustration as he kicked the hanging metal panel that usually encased the junction box. On the bright side he knew what the root of this particular issue was. On the other end, he knew there was many more that had yet to be discovered. He just wasn't the same when Shera wasn't there to look at the big picture. All issues aside, his wife was a great scientist and had a knack for these sorts of issues. Cid was an expert at getting hunks of metal to fly, but recent advancements in technology had proven somewhat difficult for him to keep up with alone.
Shera had been away for upwards of a month on her sabbatical. They talked every night on the phone but he still missed her in more than one way. For now he had to find a way to do this on his own. Cid exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke and reached into the junction box. He wrapped his gloved hand around two of the chewed copper wires and ripped them out. Materials were scarce, he knew he'd need more. He gathered his tools, placed them back into his bag and rattled down the stairs of the metal scaffolding all the way to the ground. Ever since he could remember, Cid had been buying his supplies from the same guy in Rocket Town. No doubt he would have more than enough copper wire to press on with his repairs. Once his boots hit the dirt, Cid walked over to his old rusted truck and threw his tool bag in the back with a loud clang.
The driver side door groaned in pain as it opened and the pilot took his seat inside. He pulled the key out of the cup holder and pushed it into the ignition. There really had never been any thieves to worry about in rocket town; plus everybody knew not to steal from him. Cid turned the key and the truck sputtered pathetically, made a loud popping noise, then shut back off entirely. For a few moments Cid sat unmoved, soaking in the irony of his now officially dead truck. After another deep, calming drag Cid shoved the truck door back open and marched towards the hood of the vehicle. He pulled open the rusted hood like it owed him money and began beating the engine senseless with his fist. "You &*$%#@% sunnuva &*%&$! START!" his obscenities carried well into town, causing various people to stop and shake their heads in the direction of Cid Highwind's home. Surely enough, after a few well aimed blows the engine sputtered once more and fired up. Cid rested his hands a moment on the open hood, pleased with his work. After reveling in victory he proceeded to shut the hood and walked back over to the door. Cid pulled on the silver handle, but the door didn't budge.
Again he pulled with the same result. The keys remained visible through his yellow smoke tinted windows; still in the ignition. "I've had it. Shera, you better be on your way back soon before the house starts falling apart." Cid groaned angrily to himself. The sound of glass shattering and further obscenities broke the silence of rocket town yet again. This time, no-one reacted.
