6-038: Merchant Freighter Spanial – Engineering
He looks surprised.
“Lia, I …felt bad because I should have tried harder to get your attention and tell you I fixed the module, but you looked so engaged in what you were doing I didn’t want to…interrupt.”
He shrugs, “I was worried you’d think I had wasted your time, looking for a problem I already fixed.”
He pauses; interestingly, he doesn’t look down in his contrition but keeps staring directly and unblinkingly at Lia’s face.
“I know what broke, but I still don’t know why it broke. I wondered if what you found in the logs might help see if there was a contributing factor or if we’re dealing with a random parts failure. I didn’t want to interrupt because… you looked really engaged in what you were doing. I admire that ability to focus, so I left you to it. But, I thought afterwards that maybe I shouldn’t have.”
She smiles warmly and chuckles. It’s an attractive sound.
“Sounds like we both made assumptions about each other. I appreciate you letting me focus.”
If there’s an appropriate surface she will sit on it, otherwise she’ll prop against something convenient.
“Besides, time looking for a pattern is never wasted time.”
Her eyes sparkle; she’s obviously sincere.
“I didn’t find a pattern but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Maybe if I spent more time getting used to the shuttle’s systems, I’d be more familiar with the workings.”
She smiles ruefully.
“Or maybe it just needs someone more suited to the task.”
She pauses and looks at him thoughtfully.
“There aren’t many people who understand when I get… wrapped up in something like that. Do you find it happens when you get absorbed in your work?”