“Wow.” Lana gaped at it. “How does it work?”

“It manipulates the atomic structure of the given resource to fabricate the required molecules. It’s highly energy demanding, but given the proper base materials, it can create a wide variety of specialized matter, then assemble it together. He turned to Bulco. “Please input the blueprint to the device’s console.”

Bulco stepped forward hesitantly and stopped a meter in front of the machine. He raised his arm, waving it as if afraid to bump into an invisible barrier. His eyes widened suddenly, then he confidently moved his arm to a specific point. A white pole rose to his arm and unfolded, revealing the standard light console. Bulco’s fingers thrummed over the keys and a moment later he stepped back and nodded. “It’s done. The blueprints are in the machine.”

“Good.” Their alien host moved to the console, inspecting the data. “And the required resources?”

“Ah …” Bulco shifted uncomfortably. “I brought with me around ten kilos of damaged components from the freighter. By my estimation, every kilo is enough for about a hundred small caliber cartridges, but that won’t produce the quantity we’re looking for. It’s basically just scrap metal, you must have plenty of it lying around, right?”

“I do not. Trinium is usually readily available and can easily be mined, so I don’t have much of it onboard - just enough for my own needs to maintain the station. Usually, trade in raw materials develops organically on newly formed stations and colonies, but …” he looked pointedly at the Engineer.

“Alright, I get it. We’ll just head back down and load the shuttle with scrap metal. God knows we don’t have any shortage of that laying around on the streets.”

Alzigo looked at him and his two jaws opened in such an obvious display of exasperation, Lana thought he was about to facepalm. Instead, he took hold of himself and spoke plainly. “Your blueprint design specifically calls for Trinium alloy. It’s a common resource in Tec-based components. Fabricators use it as a base for a wide range of components. I’m afraid there’s no alternative.”

“Damn it!” Bulco gritted his teeth. “There’s always something in the way. So what are we supposed to do now? Go down and butcher the ship for raw materials?”

“No, there has to be a better way,” Lana said and looked at the alien hesitantly. “Are … are you absolutely sure we can’t compel you to donate just a little raw material? You have so much of it … surely just a little bit won’t hurt.” She looked meaningfully at the station’s walls.

The alien straightened and folded his arms. “I’m afraid that’s out of the question.”