Loopshard

Herrman’s shop was a large eight-metre-wide barrel with an opening cut into one side. Ship fins, propellers, ballistae, harpoon-launchers, and all manner of airship parts and upgrades hung about on the walls. Although his name had brought to mind a wizened old tinkerer or mechanic, Adam was surprised to see a soot-and-oil-stained skinny teen standing in the opening, waiting for them. He wore a beige boilersuit that was two sizes too big, and his curly tangle of untamed brown hair was held down by the rubber strap of a pair of old rusted goggles.

“Herrman, this crew has been given a free upgrade by the captain,” the guard said.

The kid singled out Emelia as their team’s leader, staring intently at her for a moment before glancing at the guard. “Wossit for?”

“They’re taking on the Golden Slug,” she replied with a grin.

He looked back to Emelia. “Wot cannon you want?”

“I was thinking a hull upgrade would be better,” she said. “Something that can take a beating without breaking too easily.”

Herrman frowned. “Boring. Cannons are better.”

Adam looked up at the stuff around them. None of those are cannons… Unless he’s keeping the good stuff somewhere else.

The guard smacked Herrman in the back of the head. “The captain said they could pick.”