"I never thought I had to use this knowledge I learned in university," Kaan thought.
After his shift ended, he rushed to the warehouse to check on the scrapped steam machine's condition. "Okay, this doesn't look that bad; it could be fixable. I have about twenty-five Therums left. First, let's see what resources you have."
He checked the machine thoroughly. "Aha! Found you." It turned out one of the steam valves had flown off the inside of the machine due to chronic overworking. "Even the machines of this era are victims of overworking," he mused.
Outside the warehouse, some of the workers noticed Kaan.
"Hey, Kaan, what are you doing under that scrap?" one asked.
"I made a deal with the boss: if I fix this, I get a reward. How about you? What are you doing outside at this hour?" Kaan replied smoothly.
"I was just wondering around," the worker said.
He is definitely here to check me out, Kaan thought.
Kaan continued his real work, rummaging around a warehouse that looked like it had survived a military raid. He searched for parts he could steal for his secret project.
"Oh, that's good! A sheet of copper. I can make this as a condensing cup, and also roll it to make tubes for steam to escape," he realized. He found a crude-looking, hand-operated metal cutter and a sturdy pipe perfect for hand-rolling the copper sheet.
"Now, I have two problems. One is how to insulate this steam monster, and two, how do I weld things together?"
He concentrated, trying to recall his engineering classes. "Hey, use your ulti! We are losing!"
"God damn it! Get out of my head, stupid game! I need to remember, come on!"
He didn't realize it, but morning had already arrived; his shift was about to start.
"Shit! I am being late."
He rushed out the door, running toward the factory. On the way, he saw a house being built.
"That's it!" The sight clicked his solution into place. "Humanity's most primitive insulation coating: mud. I can use it, but I need to make it resistant to extreme heat and moisture. I can add sewage to it. Nice!"
As he walked into the factory, he greeted everyone and started working. After a grueling workday, he went to his small cabin and slept like a log.
Meanwhile, near the factory entrance:
"Boss, I asked him what he was doing, and he was looking at the steam machine," the worker reported to Elfan.
Elfan looked to the worker and said, "Okay, you can go."
So you were really trying, hah, Elfan thought, a rare smile touching his lips.
Later, in the main work floor:
"What does he think he is, to work on the machines?" a worker complained. "I've worked here for seven years, and even I can't touch a machine."
"Yeah, he's probably trying to show off. Let it go," another worker replied.
"HEY! IF YOU HAVE TIME TO CHIT-CHAT LIKE LITTLE GIRLS, YOU HAVE TIME TO START WORKING. GO!" Lysander yelled, his voice cutting through the factory noise.