Below decks, Anton and his colleagues took their notes in an almost monastic silence, none of them daring to distract any other with chatter until they had finished recording everything that they could glean from the arcane engine. With growing familiarity of the ship's movements, the researchers had braced themselves far more casually, many simply keeping themselves pressed against a corner of the hull in order to continue their work unimpeded. Anton himself was desperately trying to get his air legs under him, finding it somewhat embarrassing that he lacked much of the practical skills required to even stay out of the way on such a vehicle.
Haber on the other hand was all too happy to engage in talk, much to the consternation of the graduate students who had joined him on the quarterdeck. "Nothing beats elbow grease I see, fascinating, I can't see why you'd have ever retired with stories like that. Not that I'm complaining of course, we've probably learned more about Gelerian shipbuilding techniques in the past hour than in the past decade."
Talk of the engine assembly was at least of intense interest to all crowded around Vanessa, and the researchers were hanging upon her every word. Literally, in some cases, with the scientists having forgone any attempt to brace and instead trusting solely upon their lifelines as they wrote notes. Some were writing her statements verbatim, while others were attempting to sketch out the assembly that connected the conn to the engine, but all were enraptured with any secret of the Every Waking Moment she might deign to share.
And Haber was keen on seeing as many of them as they could before they departed. He knew his time, and Vanessa's patience, were limited, and was intent on seeing as much as possible of the airship in as little time as he could manage - while asking the fewest questions of her. Directness seemed the part to play with her.
"I would like to see a full spin."
Haber on the other hand was all too happy to engage in talk, much to the consternation of the graduate students who had joined him on the quarterdeck. "Nothing beats elbow grease I see, fascinating, I can't see why you'd have ever retired with stories like that. Not that I'm complaining of course, we've probably learned more about Gelerian shipbuilding techniques in the past hour than in the past decade."
Talk of the engine assembly was at least of intense interest to all crowded around Vanessa, and the researchers were hanging upon her every word. Literally, in some cases, with the scientists having forgone any attempt to brace and instead trusting solely upon their lifelines as they wrote notes. Some were writing her statements verbatim, while others were attempting to sketch out the assembly that connected the conn to the engine, but all were enraptured with any secret of the Every Waking Moment she might deign to share.
And Haber was keen on seeing as many of them as they could before they departed. He knew his time, and Vanessa's patience, were limited, and was intent on seeing as much as possible of the airship in as little time as he could manage - while asking the fewest questions of her. Directness seemed the part to play with her.
"I would like to see a full spin."
