Desalination

The sound of creaking metal broke the silence of my cabin. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence on the old oil rig I had been stationed at, but it still never failed to lift the hairs off my arms. You would think they would at least modernize the structure of these ancient metal frames before sending us out here to repurpose them. Although, I suppose even the freshly built desalination plants have been falling under lately. What's the point in refurbishing this old hunk of junk if it's gonna collapse regardless.

 We had been sent out here to start the operation of another desalination plant for the Atlantic. It was part of a worldwide initiative to create a "cheaper" source of freshwater. Personally I never subscribed to the idea of destroying the massive ocean ecosystems, but a source of income was a source of income.

 Our job was to install and begin operation of the machines used to remove the salt from the ocean's water. It was no easy task, considering that these abandoned rigs weren't designed to have hulking machines attached to them years after their operation, but within five days we had already gotten one of the machines ready to the point that we could start its operation. All we were waiting for was confirmation from higher ups to begin.

 I had received a relatively small, but significant job within the process. My responsibility lied with starting and controlling the operation of the desalination machines. In fact I was the only one on the rig who knew how to do it. So it wasn't exactly shocking when the old intercom system sparked to life with a call for me.

 In a harsh staticy voice the captain spoke to the crew, "Jason report to my office IMMEDIATELY!" sounding unexpectedly angry. "Again, I want you up here in five minutes or else I'll throw you off this rig myself!" He finished, leaving me with nothing but the faint click of the intercom shutting off.

 Well have it your way then ya dick. I guess someone finally told him his desalination machine was "smaller than average". A chuckle escaped my breath as I rose out of bed, knocking over empty bottles of beer in the process. My head is killing me! I guess I hit the booze a little too hard last night. Closing my eyes for a moment, I rubbed my temples with my thumbs. Focusing on the ever present ambiance of the sea as I tried to settle my pounding brain. The result was negligible. 

 Left with little reason to continue idling in my room I moved to the door. Besides it was a bedside table I used for storage, but on top of it sat a photo of a woman I hadn't seen in ages. She'd be disappointed to see me like this again. There was very little power to my steps, but I exited the room anyway. I wasn't exactly eager to see what the boss man was so pressed over, so I decided to take a detour to the cafeteria. If whatever he had to tell me was so important he'd tell me regardless of when I got there.

 Upon entering, it was readily apparent that something was happening. Although the room wasn't heavily packed, the eyes at tables which did hold small groups of my coworkers immediately glued to me. Faint whispers broke out, some less sneaky than others, but regardless of how quiet they were I knew they all were about the same thing. Me.

 I stood around scanning the room until I spotted my buddy Hector. There was already a very amused grin on his face as I approached him. "Mannn, Leo seems pretty upset yo. You didn't tell him his machines were the shitty knock offs, did you." He said trying to hide the amusement he got from just imagining the interaction.

 "No, unfortunately not. Someone's gotta make him aware of it though before it slips out of my mouth." I reply with a chuckle. "Although from the looks of it, I'd guess I woke up the sexiest being alive, the way everyone's got the hots for me right now." Motioning to the rest of the room as I finish my sentence.

 "Yea you're the talk of the town man. Turns out you become a whole different machine after a few drinks." he said, leaning closer to me after. "But just between you and me, did you really go and start the machine? No one thought you would, given how adamant you were before about "Not overworking the machines" or "Keeping our equipment at the highest functionality possible" or whatever other wordy excuses you gave."

 I failed to reply to him as a mixture of shock and confusion washed over my face. Did I.. start the machine? No I don't recall doing that, but.. I was drunk last night. Very, very drunk. A bolt of panic surged through my veins but I tried to hide it as I pressed for more information.

 "What do you mean.. did the machine start early?" I tried to calmly ask.

 "That's been the word so far. Are you trying to say you aren't aware of this?" He asked, clearly not believing I didn't already know. "You are the only guy on this whole rig who knows how to work one of those things."

 He's right. The only one who could have started it was me. But I don't remember starting the machine at all.. I need to speak to Leo. "I.. gotta go." I muttered to Hector before running towards the exit, his laughter filling the room as I slipped out the door. Leo's office wasn't especially far away, but I bolted down interior corridors as fast as I could despite that. I was at his door in under three minutes.

 Upon knocking on the door Leo immediately opened it and snapped at me. "Get inside right now you bloody idiot!" he yelled while trying to maintain his cool, "Do you understand exactly how much your little ballsy choice could cost me?" but he was unable to hide the fluster that had clearly taken over his face.

 "What are you talking about? Is the machine running?" I attempted to ask.

 "Yes you dimwit! You started it early like you owned the damn place! Not only that, but because we didn't have a crew on hand we blew way past our assigned salt levels!" He yelled, losing control of his frustration with every word.

 "I didn't start the machine. I don't remember doing it at all." I objected truthfully, but my statement caused an immediate change in his composure.

 "You don't.. remember.. turning on the machine?" He asked, a quiet furry lacing his words. Without letting me answer he continued, "So you were drinking. You. The ONE man in this ship who has the potential to do the most damage. You.. got drunk. Am I understanding this correctly?" his words seething with malice.

 I tried to reply, "Well, y-yes I was a bit drunk last night, but I don't think I could've managed to turn on the-" but I was interrupted before I could finish my sentence.

 Leo screamed, no longer in the mood to hold back his anger. "YOU BASTARD! Do you have any idea how much damage you could've caused! All because you couldn't keep your trap away from a bottle of fun-time huh. Well I hope you're bloody happy because whatever damage the machine received YOU are paying for!"

 "Well I can just turn it off now that I know! Let me go do that! I'm sure it hasn't been running long enough to cause any sort of damage." I pleaded, knowing that if it had been operating there was in fact definitely going to be damage.

 Leo took a deep breath before answering. "Ok. Go. But you better pray that the machine is in PRISTINE condition or so help your sorry a-"

 Before he could finish his threat, a terrible sound of metal screeching disturbed the air. It sounded like a metal chair being dragged across a floor, but more violent. Like the sound had mixed with that of nails on chalkboard. It continued before ending with an aggressive crunch. Leaving the oil rig only with the sound of the waves splashing against the structure.

 I didn't bother to look at Leo. I already knew what he was about to say. I didn't want to find out what he would do. Instead, I moved towards the exit and opened the door. He tried to call for me to stay, almost exploding with anger, but his words barely gained attention in my mind. There was only one thought able to run through my head. I need to get to the machine.