The control room was in utter disarray, littered with debris and shattered components. The full extent of Rune's impact on the starship was now painfully evident.
After realising Ash had no interest in harming his young master, Zwei began cooperating. With their survival chances dwindling, the importance of unity became clear. Facing Ash's overwhelming strength and dominance, Zwei reluctantly lowered her stance.
The young master, however, had been in a daze since encountering Rune, occasionally murmuring incoherent words. Zwei, ever loyal, couldn’t help but feel exasperated. Her master was remarkable in every aspect: kind, approachable, and free of arrogance. Yet, when it came to his area of research, he was single-minded, often consumed by his passion. While indifferent to family affairs, his love for mech engineering bordered on obsession, with talent that was nothing short of extraordinary. His aspiration to become a mech engineer was met with fierce opposition from his elder sister, who firmly believed that as the family’s heir, he needed to prioritise their legacy.
Unwilling to be tethered by familial responsibilities, the young master had slipped away from home in secret, seeking freedom from his suffocating life. This impulsive journey had now landed them in this dire situation—a devastating accident and an encounter with a formidable figure like Ash. Zwei silently berated herself for failing to prevent this reckless escapade.
Pushing these futile regrets aside, Zwei focused on the immediate crisis.
Ash, unfamiliar with the intricacies of starship mechanics, left the technical aspects to the experts. "What’s our next move?" he asked curtly.
Zwei, busy at the console, turned to him with a grim expression. "The situation is dire. The propulsion system is completely down, and the hull has suffered critical damage, with several breaches. The worst part? The pulse relay system is destroyed, which means we can’t send a distress signal or contact nearby ships for help."
She paused for a moment, ensuring her audience grasped the gravity of the situation before continuing. "We’re about 118,000 kilometres from Guteisda's orbital station. Normally, that would only take eight days of travel. Unfortunately, our escape pods are non-functional, leaving us stranded. What’s worse, the patrol ships from the orbital station only operate within a five-day radius. Our only hope is to be spotted by a passing starship, which is unlikely."
Her measured and precise explanation made Ash reassess her capabilities. She might not be strong in combat, but her resourcefulness was undeniable.
Meanwhile, the young master, now alert, began examining the control room. Within moments, his innate brilliance shone through. He set to work, repairing systems with a dexterity that left Ash and Zwei in awe. His hands moved with the precision of a seasoned magician, each action deliberate and efficient. Zwei, captivated, watched him with an expression of unreserved admiration.
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Ash, too, was impressed. He hadn’t expected this seemingly fragile individual to possess such mechanical prowess. Though Ash considered himself knowledgeable in mech engineering, he had to admit the young master was leagues ahead.
Observing him at work, Ash reflected on his own shortcomings. His training aboard Aurora had been a mere year, whereas the young master had enjoyed a lifetime of specialised education and abundant resources—luxuries far beyond anything Garbage Planet 12 could offer. Ash found himself absorbing new insights from this prodigy’s techniques.
Despite the young master’s skill, the damage to the propulsion system was beyond repair. Fortunately, they managed to restore the life support and heating systems to a functional level, ensuring basic survival needs were met. The ship’s food and water supplies were plentiful, leaving them with nothing to do but wait for rescue.
As the tension eased, the trio began conversing. Respecting each other’s boundaries, no one delved into personal histories. The young master introduced himself as Ethan, while his guardian simply went by the name Zwei. Ash offered a polite introduction in return.
Ethan’s intellect and passion made for engaging conversation, and Ash found himself enjoying their exchange. Their shared interest in mech engineering sparked animated discussions, with Zwei smiling softly as she observed their growing camaraderie.
Ash was deeply impressed by Ethan’s knowledge, which rivalled—or perhaps even surpassed—that of the esteemed mentors at Aurora. Ethan’s family background and education had undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping his exceptional abilities.
Ethan, in turn, held Ash in high regard. Initially mistaking Ash for a mere warrior, he was astounded by his deep understanding of mech mechanics. Ash’s insights were sharp and often unconventional, demonstrating a theoretical mastery that complemented Ethan’s practical expertise.
The two found a rare sense of kinship, their mutual respect deepening as their conversation unfolded. Ethan, usually reserved, couldn’t help but feel a sense of delight at meeting someone who matched his intellect. Ash, unused to forming connections with his peers, felt a similar spark of admiration for Ethan’s brilliance.
Zwei sat quietly, a serene smile gracing her lips. It was almost surreal—mere hours ago, these individuals had been strangers, their interactions tense and adversarial.
Meanwhile, far away, a convoy of over thirty freighters cruised steadily through the Farr Quadrant.
In the lead ship’s control room, the convoy leader, Mr. Jin Mo, sat deep in thought. With less than ten days to reach Guteisda, he anticipated a lucrative journey. His shipment, which had traversed five months from the Tianluo System, promised significant profits and valuable contributions to his merchant guild, potentially advancing his trading licence to the coveted mech commerce level.
Reflecting on his decision to hire an elite mech pilot team for protection, Jin Mo felt vindicated. Their presence had ensured the convoy’s safety against multiple pirate attacks.
"Just ten more days," he muttered, silently praying for an uneventful remainder of the voyage.
His prayers were abruptly interrupted by the blaring of alarms. Jin Mo’s eyes snapped open, a sense of foreboding gripping his heart