Page 17 of Sway's Peace
“We don’t mind something used. Ours is… outdated.”
“What model are you using?”
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “The galley is just this way if you’d like a look.”
“Oh, absolutely,” she beamed, following after him as he headed for the doorway into what would be the main hall of the ship. “Depending on your available space and budget, we have some really great options that are used but still have a lot of life left in them.”
“It certainly would be a welcome change. Ours is very slow, it doesn’t have much memory space, and the food all tastes artificial, like the nutrition powder.”
Grace understood why immediately when they turned into the room that held the machine in question. The galley itself was rather small, with enough room for the synthesizer, one small table, and two stools. It didn't look like anyone spent a lot of time in here. And the tight space ruled out more than a few options for new synthesizers.
But she barely registered that as she frowned at the one in there currently. Astounded.
“This thing still functions?” She asked, amazed, tapping the side of it. “It’s got to be as old as this starship itself!”
“Wouldn't surprise me,” Sway said, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, as he watched her with no small amount of amusement.
“I don’t think they even make this model anymore,” she breathed in wonder. “How is it still working?!”
“Badly,” he chuckled.
She believed it. Starships were built to last. A two hundred year old starship wasn’t particularly common, but nor was it unbelievable. The cost of making these ships, the need for them to be unfailing and sturdy, meant that one that was maintained properly could have a life of five hundred years or more.
But food synthesizers? Those had a life span of only ten or twenty years – maybe twenty-five if you could afford a commercial grade one. The process of turning nutrition powder into consumable, tasty products clogged and deteriorated the machine very badly over time.
To see one this old was crazy. To know it still worked and made food was concerning. Grace didn't think she’d trust anything this machine put out.
Frowning, she stepped back and looked at the space where the machine was located. It was smaller than most models built these days. Probably because it lacked an isolation chamber that the newer models incorporated to try to prevent food breakdown of the components. Those also made for easier cleaning and maintenance.
Thinking, she started going through the station inventory selection as she returned to Sway’s side. She turned, letting him see what she was doing. Trying, and failing, not to be aware of his closeness as he looked over her shoulder.
“I think I can actually get you a really good deal on a refurbished model. Now, it is a little older. It’s seven years old and it was in heavy use on a pleasure cruiser for pretty much that entire time. But it was very well maintained and with the refurbishment, they estimate that it has at least another ten to fifteen good years in it. And, as a bonus, the memory banks weren’t cleared when it was refurbished, so it actually has a robust library of recipes that were curated to appeal to many different species. Here, what do you think? It’s bigger than your current model, but I believe we can put it here right there on the long wall, if you’re willing to move the table and stools.”
Sway’s warmth brushed up against her side, setting all her nerves on high alert, as he looked closer at the screen. Grace gave him a nervous smile while her heart pattered quickly in her chest. She forced herself to ignore it as she showed him the model that had been waiting years in storage for someone willing to overlook the miles put on it.
“How much is it?” Sway asked low and sensual, right there in her ear. His voice was so sweet. A deep, rich tenor that made her eyes want to shut so she could just listen to him talk.
But she didn’t as she tried instead to focus on the question he’d asked. “It’s only thirty-two hundred credz, actually.”
“Really?” He repeated, surprised. “We were willing to pay double that for a good, used one.”
“Well, its age and the heavy use it was under meant most weren’t really willing to buy it, so the cost has come down a few times. But if you compare it to this thing here…”
Both of them looked up at the ancient, beaten up synthesizer. Honestly, an old-fashioned stove would have been an improvement on that thing.
“I think it’s perfect,” Sway said, looking back at her with a pleasant smile.
Her heart skipped, like he might have been talking about her and her smile widened a bit too quickly. “Great! I’ll just tag it for your use and have it sent up from inventory. And that monstrosity can go to the museum where it belongs.”
He chuckled, giving her an appreciative look. “Thanks. That is definitely in our budget. And very much appreciated. I’ve almost forgotten what normal food tastes like.”
“Yeah, of course,” she said, smiling despite herself, so wide her cheeks felt the burn of it. “Erm, so, shall we go on to the next place?”
“Yes. Engine room access is right down this way.”
She followed him back out, checking on her drone. It was busy puttering away, getting all the recordings it needed. It had beenworking even as they talked in the galley, so by the time she was following Sway up one level and into the engine room, it was already within, recording.
She frowned, gazing around at the chaotic area. “What is this?”
