Chapter 330: Chapter 330 - Foundational Work First
I’d expected to arrive first, but Dave Morrison clearly believed in getting an early start. Passing by his truck, the sound of voices was clear enough as I approached the warehouse side entrance this morning. The electrician’s gravelly tone was giving directions, along with a younger male voice responding respectfully enough.
"Careful with that inverter. That thing costs more than your beater of a truck."
"Yeah, yeah, and yours is a ripe peach. Just tell me where you want it staged."
I pushed through the entrance to find the warehouse floor turned into an organized unpacking operation. Components were laid out in neat rows - solar panels leaning against the wall, boxes of large batteries laid out to inspect for travel damage, and coils of heavy-gauge wire spooled and waiting.
Of course there were also a lot of metal pieces I couldn’t immediately identify beyond knowing it was part of attaching everything together. And the enormous ’inverter’ that looked like it weighed as much as I did.
"Morning. Hope you don’t mind that we started without you. Wanted to get everything inventoried before the real work begins."
"Not at all. I appreciate the efficiency."
The younger man straightened up from where he’d been checking serial numbers on the batteries against a clipboard. Sandy hair, broad shoulders, and a lazy but friendly smile that I immediately recognized from Stroman Supply.
> I feel like I’ve thought it before, but such a small world for a big city. <
"Well, if it isn’t the new Lunarizon renovations lady. This is a lot more gear than you purchased from me, I’m kind of jealous."
"Right. The plans... evolved. Significantly."
Davie took a glance at the emptied shipping container, then around the warehouse that hadn’t actually been ’worked’ on since the first time I entered the building. A change came over his expression that I wasn’t sure I liked.
"Ah. So when you said the other workers would handle assembly on their own time..."
He trailed off, clearly piecing together that there had never been any ’crew’ working under me in the first place. Though considering those shelves are stuffed away in the office space of this building, it would be better to make sure they know that place is off limits.
My eyes flashed blue - and he gulped before waving his hands as though he ’did not want any trouble’. It was enough, I hope, to suggest to him that it was something pack related. I have no intention of clarifying what reason, how, or why I am using this place.
"Uh, yeah. Makes sense. Explains why that woman was so insistent about the delivery being made immediately. And why the truck dropping everything off was unmarked... anyway, Davie Stroman in case you forgot. Nice to see you again."
He waved once before sticking out his hand - for a half second before hastily retreating with it as if I intend to bite it off. How rude, he and his cousin both.
> Listening to Claire complain about Luca lately - while very one sided - just reinforces the few less than stellar experiences I’ve had with the Rimecoat’s Beta. You’re right, at least he isn’t too much of a jerk like the wolves Helene grew up around... <
"Yes, I remember you. I guess this is one of the things you are doing on the side for... a particular purpose, hm?"
"...Ah, I was hoping you forgot about that. But you are right. Its why I’m helping with this particular installation."
"You two having a good time catching up?"
Dave barked out and I smirked. At least the Omega in front of me wouldn’t be slacking off today with him around. Actually, I’m not sure why that pleases me so much, he seems like a hard working enough man.
Maybe I’m still just a little upset that he rebuffed my attempt to give him a tip that day. It’s the only think I can think of that I have against him!
"I talked about it before, but I’ll walk you through what we’re doing today now that everything is here to point at. First day is all about the framework and getting the solar array mounted. That’s going to take most of the morning - drilling the mounting points, sealing them properly, running the conduit for the wiring."
"I’ll be on the roof. He handles the technical stuff, I just do the heavy lifting and the heights... so he doesn’t fall or throw out his back again."
They are sounding more and more like a bickering couple of friends rather than a duo that only met through a few limited work opportunities. And the younger one seems more confident speaking out than just a new helper.
"This afternoon we look to start on the interior framework. Battery rack gets bolted to the floor near the back, with the inverter and electrical panel mounted on the wall. Tomorrow we wire everything together and the final day we go through commissioning - testing it out."
"One question - how are we going to run the solar panels in here to test?"
Davie asked a very good question that I hadn’t considered at the time. I guess if they want to check and make sure the hardware and software running all of it is working properly...
"I’ll have it moved outside that morning before you get here, don’t worry. Until then you can enjoy the conditioned air."
"...Okay, but how-"
The old man shot him a look that clearly said ’not our business to ask’ any of that. He flinched almost like when I glared at him earlier!
"Well, alright. Shutting up."
"Doubtful it lasts, but we’ll see."
"The two of you must have worked together a lot."
Commenting on their banter, both of them look back at each other. But just like the human predicted, the werewolf opened his ’trap’ again.
"Not a lot. Helped him do the power setup for my girlfriend’s dad’s new workshop."
"You have something against telling her directly I am that dad and it was my workshop?"
"Last time I did you said not to bring up unnecessary things!"
"Kid’s got a good work ethic. Plus, my girl doesn’t know about his asking for my blessing while still working for the ring yet. She still might say no."
"Can I please ask you not to bring that up?"
I stared at both of them for a moment. Dave Morrison and Davie Stroman. Tilting my head and feeling my nose twitch, my eyes narrow at the younger of them. I’m no psychology expert, and they don’t *look* alike at least, but...
"So that means you’re dating with hopes to marry someone... whose father has almost the same first name as you."
"Yeah, that’ll get pretty confusing at holiday dinners. But she’s worth it. Should have enough saved up by New Year’s Eve if I keep at it. Hoping to make my resolution spending more quality time and working less."
"How romantic."
Dryly replying, consider that if I were her, I would definitely complain that he passed up $500 last time when I offered. Then again, she wouldn’t know that over a month from now is likely too late.
> Maybe I can give extra money to Mr. Morrison instead and have him just give a higher ’split’ to the other obstinate man. And I think this time... I will insist. <
"Do you need me here for anything more or would I be more of a hindrance?"
"Your choice. Won’t hurt to have you around, its a big space. But we’ve got everything we need to get started. Davie, grab the drills and laser levels. We’re heading up top first."
I looked at the ladder they were setting up against the container’s side. Part of me was curious to see the installation process and the other part wanted to avoid getting too invested in watching them build a thing the system itself clearly wanted me to have.
"I’ll stay for a bit. See how it all happens."
"Fair enough. Just stay clear when we start moving panels around. Don’t want you to get hurt, Miss."
Well, I wouldn’t want that either, but both Vrika and I snort softly. Pretty confident that this body using my particular partial shift... is stronger than either of them.
Wandering over to the office area and making sure the door is still secure, I cross my legs and sit down to kill time until I can pick up the second container and a few other things at noon. I’d like all of that with me if I go out towards the caves I saw soon.
> Think I can do Level 13 today? <
My wolf really, truly could care less about watching a digital fox jump, I feel.