Perfect. Val's idea, but Noah made the arrangements, so they're both pretty much dirty handed in this drama!
As for why they had to do it, Noah can just take Viva down to the engine room and show her all the worn out parts that need replacing!!! Small jobs were only putting band aids on massive cracks, the Lucidae is an old ship and needs a refit xP Of course there are other ways to make cash, Nth wasn't their only option, but it is certainly a quick fix (with massive risks).
Also, your post ... *shivers* ... Viva's coldness towards the doc, it pains me because I know they have the potential to become good good friends in the future, but it is just SO fitting considering what shes thinking and feeling right now. I kinda want them to just hug it out but, they're still strangers and its jut not the right time for that (but perhaps long in the distant future, Loire can explain what happened with the team he was involved with on Noveria, and Viva will be close to him too and they can just bond)