Chapter 03: Dumbstruck
A deep sigh released from Noriko as she gripped the Sizzler's frame. For the past hour she had been staring into this mecha's "brain". It wasn't going well. Pipes, wiring—the lot of it, was a total mess. Clearly she couldn't fathom where to begin, let alone what to fix. She seriously shouldn't be touching this thing… Noriko was about to retreat down the platform steps, when she caught sight of Jung. The redhead was already at the bottom of these steps, one foot upon the platform. Where had she come from? "W-when did you get here?"
Even from down here, Jung could see Noriko's face light on fire. Bless. She's adorable. "Security's been watching you on the camera for ages. I came to help."
They've been watching her?! Noriko couldn't get a word in, for the Soviet had hopped multiple steps to reach her. Speechlessly she watched her fellow Top pilot roll up her overall sleeves and get to work. Within moments an assortment of parts were eased from out of the machine.
"Here, hold this." Jung passed her an unidentifiable part.
Noriko could only hold it blankly, staring down at it with mild disgust. This thing is covered in oil. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Sure's my middle name." She hadn't a clue.
Noriko's lips jarred open, muteness transforming into disbelief. "No, you h—" A loud crack interrupted her accusation. Both pilots peered down into the mecha's insides. Somehow Jung had quite literally snapped one of the parts in half. "I—" Noriko had no words.
Reaching for a nearby towel, Jung casually wiped her hands clean of oil. Her Japanese co-pilot merely continued to stare at her, astonished. "I tried. Do you know what to do?" She shrugged.
The towel was placed atop the object Noriko continued holding. Soundlessly she watched Jung hop the steps, waltzing from the hanger. What had she just witnessed? "Jung!" Placing the part down inside the Sizzler, Noriko chased after her.
"Hey, you were as clueless as me." The Soviet pointed out, much to Noriko's chagrin.
"I was being careful!" Jung's overconfidence is something else entirely.