"Seriously?" Maru asked as he looked at his boss.
Blade shook his head sighing. "Yes… They cut our budget. We're not gonna be able to afford new equipment at this rate."
Maru ran a hand through his hair.
"Greeeeeat. How do they expect me to to keep you guys in top shape if I don't have the materials or tools to do so?"
"We'll figure something out Maru. For now, we're just on tight money management."
"Understood, Boss."
Blade nodded as he walked out, leaving Maru to his little shop.
The mechanic looked around, sighing. It had been a rough go this year. First they lost one of their best flyers and had to have Blade take over for him as the new chief. He was still adjusting to his new position and as was Maru with having to call him "Boss" all the time. Now a budget cut comes up and was now left with whatever he had.
"Just perfect…"
"Maru?"
Maru looked over to see one of the members of the Air Attack Team come in. A recent recruit, Dipper if he remembered correctly.
"What's up Lil' Dipper?"
She gave a bit a sheepish look as she held up her special pontoon. The tool was dented pretty badly on its left side.
"During my last training session with Blade I wound up ramming into a tree. You think you could fix it?"
"I'll try and be more careful next time. You didn't get hurt did ya?"
Dipper shook her head. "Just a few bruises. I'll be fine."
She set the pontoon down and headed out.
Maru walked over to it, scratching his head.
"Man what a dent… and this thing was just bought too. I don't think there's saving this one."
Maru picked it up, bringing it over to his table. He knew he had to do something about it or Dipper wasn't going to have anything work with.
Think Maru…
He looked around his shop, his eyes landing on a pile of metal, material and plenty of old tools that hadn't been used in years. That's when it hit him.
That's it!
Maru ran over to the pile pulling out random tools and metals bringing them over to the table.
Just need to do some welding, little bit of building… and probably use some duct tape but this pontoon will be good as new.
He shook his head.
No, it'll be better than new.
Maru threw himself into his work and kept at it for hours. Everyone could hear him working like mad in his shop. They weren't really sure what to think but they thought it best to leave him alone.
Around night time, Maru emerged from his shop, presenting the fixed pontoon to Dipper who was with the other firefighters sitting around a campfire enjoying some oil.
"Here ya go, all ready to go." he said, setting it down in front of her.
"Thanks, Maru! It looks great, good as new as they say." Dipper replied with a grin.
Maru smirked. "It's better than new."
Blade looked over to Maru, grinning a little. "That gonna be your new philosophy?"
Maru started walking back to his shop as he replied.
"Well considering how we work around here now, yes… and one other thing."
"What?"
"Duct tape is our friend."