Jack Done stepped into the massive hangar, admiring its impressive structure. Metallic walls gleamed under white-blue neon lights, and a series of docked ships awaited the attention of state-of-the-art robotic arms. Beside him, Kael looked less impressed, rubbing his forehead, clearly nursing a headache.
"Looks good, doesn't it?" Jack asked, attempting to distract him.
"Too good," Kael muttered. "Hangars are like theater sets. Everything seems perfect until the show starts, and then the problems begin."
Jack chuckled briefly. He knew that despite his pessimistic demeanor, Kael had a knack for anticipating problems before they escalated into catastrophes.
On the giant screens mounted along the walls, a message appeared: "The inauguration ceremony begins in 15 minutes."
"Alright, folks," Kael said over the com-link. "Do your final checks. I don't want any surprises."
Jack and Kael dispersed to inspect various control panels. Everything seemed in order until a red flashing alert appeared on one of Jack's screens:
"Critical Error: Gravitational Support System – Instability Detected."
Jack quickly called central command.
"Kael, we've got a problem with the artificial gravity. The support system isn't fully responding."
Kael, only a few meters away, rushed over.
"Don't tell me…" he began, but stopped mid-sentence when he saw the screen. His eyes narrowed. "If the system collapses, the entire hangar becomes a zero-gravity zone. Ships will be damaged or thrown into space."
Jack began typing rapidly, searching for more details.
"We've got 10 minutes, maybe less, before stability fails completely."
Kael tapped the panel lightly with a finger, as if the gesture might help.
"We'll have to stabilize the gravity manually. But first, we evacuate everyone."
Taking charge of the evacuation process, Kael issued orders through the com-link:
"Attention, all technicians in the hangar! Cease operations and evacuate immediately! Proceed through the main corridor to emergency exit Delta 3. Do not run, but move quickly."
Jack continued working on the system, glancing over his shoulder. Kael seemed composed, but the tension on his face was evident.
"The technical team's out, but the ships… If the instability starts, we'll lose them," Kael said, returning to Jack's side.
Jack tried to move a heavy metal panel blocking access to the auxiliary controls. Straining, he began pushing, his muscles tightening as sweat dripped down his face. Kael noticed and stepped in.
"Need a hand? It's heavier than it looks, I know."
"I… can move it… just harder than I expected," Jack replied through gritted teeth.
Kael grabbed the other side of the panel. "It's not weakness to accept help, Jack. Maybe it's time to consider a training program. This work doesn't get easier."
Jack sighed and nodded. Together, they managed to push the panel aside.
As Kael rushed to the indicated controls, a new alert appeared:
"Electromagnetic Wave Detected: Electrical Systems Compromised."
The wave temporarily disabled essential functions. A robotic arm used for ship handling began moving erratically, like a wild beast out of control.
"Jack, the robotic arm's coming your way!" Kael shouted.
Jack dodged just in time as the arm swung past him. But at the last moment, it dropped and slashed across his thigh.
"Ahhh!" Jack yelled, collapsing against a wall and clutching his bleeding leg.
Kael attempted to regain control of the robotic arm from the auxiliary panel, but the system remained unstable. The arm trembled violently, threatening to damage a docked frigate.
"You need to shut off the power completely!" Jack shouted, blood dripping from his wound.
"If I cut the power, we'll lose ship support too!" Kael countered.
Jack pulled a cloth from his pocket and tied it around his injured leg. He crawled to the nearest terminal, connecting a diagnostic device. Within moments, he isolated the electromagnetic interference, partially stabilizing the arm. Together, he and Kael deactivated the faulty components and reconfigured the system, restoring artificial gravity.
"Last module… and… done!" Jack said, leaning back and pressing the cloth against his wound to stop the bleeding. "Didn't think those gravitation courses I bought last week and Daisy's suggested training would be used like this."
Kael checked the readings.
"You actually do the training? We've stabilized it, but we'll need major repairs after the ceremony."
The station's AI notified them:
"Error corrected. Congratulations, Jack Done and Kael. You prevented a major incident."
When the ceremony resumed, the audience had no idea how close they had come to disaster. Jack and Kael, exhausted, watched the commander's speech from a corner.
"Well, Done," Kael said with a tired smile. "Let's head to the medical bay. I know a place specialized for humans nearby." He supported Jack by the shoulder.
"Just call me Jack. I think we could both use a break…"
As if responding to their conversation, Daisy chimed in through their personal communicators:
"For extraordinary actions and saving Sector 3 without significant human or material loss, you have been awarded: one week of vacation and 2,000 units each. Congratulations and thank you!"
"Woohoo!" Kael exclaimed, standing straighter. "Bonus vacation and money to enjoy it? Perfect!"
"Finally, I can upgrade my matter printer!" Jack said excitedly. "I'll be able to create objects the size of a wardrobe and as complex as an android!"
"I'm heading to Mars. Heard the auroras there are legendary now."
"I'll join you if you decide. It's my home planet. I know a workshop with top-tier replicators and printers," Jack said, already browsing upgrades in the digital shop.
Kael laughed, his bluish-green skin glowing faintly in a mix of white and yellow hues.
"Deal! Vacation on Mars with a local guide! The Esalon gods really blessed us today!"
"Speak for yourself. I just hope the medical bay has a muscle regenerator," Jack said.
In an office in the station's central sector, a mysterious figure in a suit slammed their fist on a desk, glaring at the same speech being broadcast.