Chapter 3 – What’s been going on so far?

Abián suggests, as part of a quality investigation, removing the support tools used during the coupling process and doing it manually with the overhead crane. Rayco strongly objects, but can’t provide engineering with a clear justification. Abián, already worn down after two weeks of arguing with Rayco over work orders, takes the team leader’s defiance especially badly and ignores his concerns.

On the day of the coupling without the support tools, the tension between them is palpable. During the procedure, Rayco gives incorrect directions, causing the upper cover to collide with a metal structure. The structure collapses, putting his team at serious risk. Fortunately, the injuries are minor, but an investigation is launched, placing Rayco at the center and further damaging his already fragile standing with management, effectively ruining any chance of promotion.

When Abián and Rayco cross paths again during Thursday’s coupling operation, it doesn’t take long for them to get into another shouting match, this time in front of the entire team. Personal attacks fly: Abián mocks Rayco for not even finishing high school. Rayco fires back, calling Abián a junkie and a wanker before storming off to the locker room. Furious, Abián chases after him and slams him against the lockers. The insults and accusations reach a breaking point… and then suddenly, the two start kissing passionately.

Abián

32 y.o. || 191cm (6’3″)|| 11 November || Scorpio ♏︎

Doctor of Engineering responsible for the coupling phase.

He has a bit of a tendency to kiss coworkers he’s only known for three weeks.

He’s mastered the “you’re unbelievably dumb and I’m judging you hard” look.

Rayco

33 y.o. || 186cm (6’1″) || 25 April || Taurus ♉︎

Team lead for the coupling phase.

He talks a lot of shit about Abián, but doesn’t exactly pull away when he’s got his tongue down his throat.

He doesn’t handle the “you’re unbelievably dumb and I’m judging you hard” look very well.

Supporting characters

Jara – Head of Engineering. She’s pure light, and if there were a Proypal popularity contest, she’d easily come in firs

Joan – Quality Engineer. An expert at saying the worst possible thing at exactly the wrong moment.

Ale – Preparation Phase Engineer. She’s very calm and has a great relationship with both Joan and Rayco.

Carme – Post-processing Engineer.

Abián’s Father – Professor at the university where Abián also used to work. He’s put a lot of effort into giving Abián the tools and opportunities to build a reputation for himself in intellectual circles.

Atteneri – Abián’s ex-fiancée. She works at a very prestigious law firm. Abián has left his place full of geeky junk, but she still keeps it.
She gets along well with his ex-in-laws.

Conchi – Abián’s next-door neighbor. She makes really delicious pastissets. She’s hooked on Vice and Lust Among Volcanoes, a quite horny soap opera set in a volcanic archipelago.

Rob – A worker on Rayco’s team. He bursts into rooms yelling people’s names loudly to warn them, just in case he interrupts something important.