Smelting the Ore into Bullets(Traphole)

[Miki]

Searing 27, 4622¤

Fires blazed white hot around Miki in hammering iron after it was poured onto her anvil. The lava hot metal was poured into a mold and every so often as the heat decreased the moroi beat down her hammer to shape the bullets in the mold. As was working in her usual factory ready for work to be concluded and break time to come. As the winch moved, the bullets were pulled away from the mold and rolled down the conveyor as the mold was replaced and more molten metal was poured into the casing. Wiping sweat left a black streak across the red skin, her flesh covered head to toe in soot and ash. Her black tank top was sooty and dirty as she wiped her grubby hand on her shirt to grab another bite of the sandwich on the table beside her. Flipping up the full face mask which protected her eyes from the heat and glare, she couldn't wait any longer to take a bite. This work, while it passed the time, could be monotonous and boring. The sandwich dripped with some unknown liquid as she stuffed the first bite in her mouth. The sandwich had ash on it from her fingers but she didn't care as she devoured the sandwich like a quick piece of work. It was salty, crunchy, and yet still melting in her mouth with each bite. She decided then she would have to get another when her work was done.

Thankfully, that was when the horn blew and the conveyor stopped. It was breaktime for the whelps. As she made her way to the breakroom the smells of garlic and cheese hit her nose immediately. She didn't think she could be hungry again, but here she was.
"Someone must have heat up their meal while working."
Another worker chided before heading out the double doors away from Miki. Following her nose she found her way to the breakroom and where the man was eating hot cheesy bread. Scrawny and out of place with his huge glasses on, he looked like he didn't belong here among the burly iron workers. That was until she saw his tool belt, it would mark him that of an artificer. Something she had been becoming acquainted with in recent times. She didn't fancy schmoozing so took a seat elsewhere from him despite being jealous of his meal. If he was an artificer he was the one making the golems and factory parts around here. Not to mention, processing the bullets she was making for quality assurance.

[Miki]

¤

She waited around in silence with him chowing down on his garlic bread in a hedonistic way as if each bite was his last, oblivious to the world around him. She watched as he wiped the oil from his face onto the sleeve of his shirt just as the whistle blew letting everyone know break time was over. Miki and the man set off on different paths and got back to work in their separate corners of the factory. Miki was content to zone out smoking a cigar while smelting for awhile when the sound of escalated voices roused her from her trance.
"You see, you must heat the metal exactly two hundred and forty degrees else it will not work. This is precise metal working and I need someone who knows what they're doing!"
Miki poked her head around the corner to see the man from before making other workers lick his boots. But he had a point, the broken golem beside him was enough for Miki to understand the golem was not his pet, it had a function in the factory and was to him, an asset that needed repaired. Not to mention if she stepped up to the challenge what she could stand to gain in her workplace from such an endeavor. Perhaps she could earn more pay by working with the golems directly.
"I'll do it."
She stepped up to him and smiled, swishing her tail behind her.
"I've got some experience with clockwork, smelting it down. I think if you explain I can follow along."
He scoffed at first, but said nothing negative and took her aside, showing her where they would work.

Following his instruction she heated the furnace to the appropriate level, then got her tools ready. She would be pouring this by hand into molds of cogs, bolts, and nuts. It was all about precise timing while making sure the special metal that was used stayed hot enough and was tempered with a strong but gentle hand at the right times. Unfortunately their methods were also imperfect from the get-go as the metal was made from recycled parts found in the wastes. Sparks flew in the dimly-lit factory within Traphole's Depths, smoke was billowing out and from the inside its belly was lit with great fire. The process was completed and eventually the master artificer inspected the work. He was less than impressed, but called it acceptable. Miki was excited. They talked business and plans to move her up in a rank, she learned his name was Pent, and he would oversee her work. They were not friends and never would be, to Miki he was a stepping stool and a tool to be used, nothing more than rent's paycheck and a face she would have to deal with each day she spent here to get by. Her new badge was shiny but other than that the work was the same repetitive motions as before. A golem came and took the crates of parts she made away and she smoked a cigar while heating the furnace again for the next batch.

[Miki]

¤

As she rode back into the sunset on her chariot she reflected on the day's she'd spent at work. Miki was glad her final day landed her a promotion although she pondered at the ethics of the whole thing. The entire factory was a sweatshop with old women and even children working hard labor to get by. Miki was a strong woman and worthy enough to be paid a fair wage, but others worked like dogs and broke their backs. Even despite the prevalent golems which helped the more wealthy people in the city instead of disenfranchised people like them. The world was unfair. Even after seeing her fair share of bullshit here in the Wastes she had it easy for a short red gal. That was why she wanted to start her gang, to offer safety to her and her people somewhere in the Wastes. Without restrictions, a place where everyone could be themselves, yet maybe she could carve out a small part of her own to share with others and still make a huge profit.

Dust rained down behind her as she skid up to the Shithole. It was still not perfect but mostly repaired at least to keep all but the worst of the dust storms away. Izul was inside fast alseep with a thin paper book depicting drawings of nude women covering her face and her feet thrown up on the easy chair and ottoman. She was snoring loudly and Miki found it quite obnoxious, slamming the door behind her and waking Izul up.