[We begin with the Power Coupling system,] the AI explained. [Currently, it’s operating at only fifteen percent capacity. This ans every other system in the ship, even the functional ones, is being starved of power. Life support is stable but could be better. Sensors are operational but limited. The holographic interface works but can’t display complex data.]
The display showed a network of energy conduits running throughout the ship’s structure, many of them highlighted in red to indicate damage.
[If we restore the Power Coupling to full capacity, everything else improves imdiately. The systems that are barely functional beco properly functional. The systems we repair afterward will work at their intended efficiency rather than at reduced capacity.]
Tatehan nodded slowly, understanding the logic. "So it’s like... fixing the foundation before building the house?"
[Exactly. Power is fundantal. Without adequate power distribution, even repaired systems won’t perform correctly.]
"Okay," Tatehan said, standing up from the pilot’s seat. "What do I need to do?"
[The Power Coupling system consists of multiple energy conduits, essentially armored cables, that run throughout the ship’s structure,] the AI explained. The holographic display zood in to show cross-sections of these conduits. [Many of them were fractured during the crash. Others have corroded over ti due to exposure to the Martian environnt through hull breaches.]
[Your task is to manually access these conduits, remove the damaged sections, and replace them with functional segnts. You’ll also need to reroute so energy lines to bypass sections that are too damaged to repair.]
"That sounds... complicated," Tatehan admitted.
[It is moderately complex, yes. But I will guide you through each step. The work itself is primarily manual — cutting, removing, installing and sealing. Nothing that requires advanced technical knowledge, just careful attention to detail and following instructions precisely.]
Tatehan took a deep breath. "Alright. What tools do I need?"
[Follow , or rather, follow my directions,] the AI said.
The holographic display changed, showing a diagram of the main cabin with a section of wall highlighted in more brighter blue light.
"Place your hand on that section of the wall, approximately two ters to the right of the kitchen area access panel."
Tatehan walked over to the indicated spot. It looked like a completely smooth, featureless wall, identical to every other section.
He placed his palm against it, and his biotric signature was recognized.
With a soft hiss, a seam appeared that he’d never noticed before. A rectangular section of the wall, (about one ter wide and two ters tall) slid inward and then to the side, revealing a hidden compartnt.
Inside was a tool storage area.
"Whoa," Tatehan breathed, stepping closer to examine it.
The compartnt was filled with various tools and equipnt, all secured in custom-fitted slots and holders. There were things he recognized—wrenches, cutters, diagnostic devices, and things he’d never seen before that looked like they belonged in a science fiction movie.
Everything was organized ticulously, each tool in its designated place. So had labels in a language he couldn’t read, but many had symbols that indicated their function.
"I had no idea this was here," Tatehan said, surprised. "I’ve... partly been living on this ship for two months."
[The Red Dragon Spaceship has many hidden compartnts and access points,] the AI explained. [They’re designed to be concealed for security and aesthetics. As you continue repairs and exploration, you’ll discover more.]
"Why didn’t you tell about this sooner?" Tatehan asked, running his hand along the organized tools.
[You didn’t need tools until now,] the AI said simply. [You were focused on survival, on learning your abilities, on completing the mission to retrieve the bio-neutral core. There was no point in overwhelming you with information about ship systems you weren’t ready to repair.]
Fair point,. Tatehan decided.
If he had decided to do actual repairs rather than the inserting of cores long ago, he would been told of this place.
"So what do I need?" Tatehan asked, looking at the impressive array of tools.
The holographic display shifted again, and several specific tools began glowing with soft blue light in their slots.
[You’ll need the plasma cutter, third row, second from the left. The conduit wrench set, bottom row, far right. The sealant applicator, middle row, center. And the diagnostic scanner, top row, far left.]
Tatehan carefully removed each indicated tool, examining them as he did so.
The plasma cutter was a handheld device about the size of a flashlight, with a trigger chanism and what looked like an adjustable intensity dial. It felt well-balanced.
The conduit wrench set was actually a single tool that could adjust to different sizes—clever design. It had multiple grip settings and what appeared to be a ratcheting chanism.
The sealant applicator resembled a caulking gun but more advanced, with a pressure gauge and temperature control.
The diagnostic scanner was a flat rectangular device with a screen and various sensors on one end.
[These will be sufficient for the Power Coupling repairs,] the AI confird. [Return to the main cabin and I’ll show you where to begin.
Tatehan gathered the tools and walked back to the pilot’s seat area. He set the tools down carefully on the floor, organized and within easy reach.
"Alright," he said, rolling up his sleeves. "Let’s fix this ship."
He hadn’t even taken a bath. He decided that would be later, he still slt good by the way.
The first access point was located beneath one of the floor panels near the pilot’s seat.
The AI guided him to the correct panel and showed him how to release the locking chanism, a simple matter of pressing two specific points simultaneously. The panel lifted away easily, revealing a tangle of conduits, wires, and chanical components beneath.
[The damaged power conduit is the thickest cable you see, the one with the dark blue coating,] the AI instructed. [You’ll notice a section approximately thirty centiters from the left side where the coating is cracked and the internal wiring is exposed.]
Tatehan leaned in close, shining a small light into the access space. He found the conduit in question easily, it was obvious once you knew what to look for. The crack in the coating was significant, and he could see corroded tal underneath.
"I see it," he confird.
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