Coping mechanism. Some people drink, some people smoke, I... organize, apparently.

[There's some self-deprecation in Pepper's smile, but not so much as to dismiss the observation -- you aren't as good at your job as Pepper is without knowing it.]

Weapons are, unfortunately, both scarce enough and valued enough to be a form of high-value currency. Speaking of, there's no actual currency -- barter and trade, of goods and skills. I can put you in touch with the head of the local trade, if you like -- I've been doing a few things for him.