Smith was inspecting the tractor. And old, foreign model, from god knows where. Three years, six months 2 days since he enlisted as an operator in the MPCC. Never has he failed with an assignment, never failed to carry out an order, with less than six months until the end of his term, his luck has finally run out, he thought. God dammit he yelled, throwing away his cigarette stump he’s been chewing on longer than he should have. He went over to Reagan, who was inspecting the engine. What is it now? What’s wrong with it, he asked her, stomping his foot against the front panel.
Reagan didn’t react at first, stoically checking the valves, connectors and cables in the engine compartment. Well? Smith asked again, impatiently. After a long pause Reagan finally pulled her head out of the machine and replied with an in definitive look. Well, it is not the engine, the battery got juice, the fuel pump is working, the gearbox… common I didn’t ask you what IS working, what’s the issue, Smith interrupted her even more impatient. She sighed and continued; the gearbox is pretty worn but did not cause the breakdown. The machine overheated due to clocked air filters, which led to an engine failure, at least one- or two-cylinder heads are damaged beyond repair.
Air filters?! Smith snouted as he walked in on Reagan, that’s bullshit I cleaned them just the other day. Oi, cut it out Smith, Pavlov yelled, as he grabbed Smith on his shoulder pulling him away from Reagan. Mind your manners Smith, he added giving him a stern look. Smith yanked his arm out of the grip and walked back and forth the machine. There has to be another explanation he repeatedly said, becoming very agitated. The gearbox, you said the gearbox was pretty worn, maybe that caused the engine failure, I bet those Guinea Pigs cocked it up on purpose when it was refurbished or maybe one of the IDs was tinkering with it. Reagan, stoic as ever replied, there is no sign of manipulation, and the IDs were under constant guard. Well check the damn thing again then, Smith said. Reagan pulled the flashlight from her overall and crawled into the engine compartment to inspect the gearbox once more. After a brief silence she replied, well it says here: Сделано в Українська РСР.
And that means what exactly Smith asked once more. Manufactured in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Pavlov replied. The what? Reagan and Smith asked almost simultaneously. That was a state or part of a state I can not remember, my granddad migrated from Odessa to Meganesia after the Iron Curtain fell. That was ages ago Smith said, are u suggesting this gearbox is like what 100 years old? I’m not suggesting anything Pavlov replied, I just said what it says. Reagan pulled her head out of the engine compartment and said, the specs check out. I cannot see a different service or refurbishment stamp by either MPCC maintenance or Labor Force, so it seems to be an original part. The model is a modified T-54 Tractor that was sent as part of the lend lease program by the Russian Confederation. They probably kept these in stock somewhere, sturdy parts, easy to maintain.
This is just great Smith yelled, if the machine broke down because of a dirty filter, which was my responsibility as the operator to clean and maintain, I’ll be on the line for that. Dereliction of duty or worse sabotage of corporate property. Six months, six fucking months and I’m done, and now HR will have my head. I might end up on Guinea myself. Calm down, Pavlov replied, this isn’t helpful. I’m sure there are mitigating factors, we are operating in severe desert conditions the machine is practically ancient according to our technician, nobody with a shred of common sense would blame you for that.
Common sense right, have you ever met one of those HR types who you had anything in “common” at all? Well, they do walk upright Reagan added snarkily. Smith bursted out laughing hysterically, everyone and joined in. Great that’s just great, that was a good one, he finally contemplated. After a moment of silence Reagan continued; I know Burke, he won’t give those HR types a reason to skin on of his operatives, even if it was your fault. It wasn’t, Smith insisted. He will blame it on material breakdown, conditions etc. she continued. There are many plausible explanations for an old engine to break down, so don’t worry, it will be fine.