[Use the diagnostic scanner first. Place the sensor end against the conduit on either side of the damaged section. This will confirm the extent of the damage and whether the conduit can be repaired or needs complete replacement.]

Tatehan picked up the scanner and did as instructed. The device hummed softly, and data began appearing on its small screen—graphs, numbers, status indicators.

[The damage is contained to that section only,] the AI reported. [You can cut out the damaged portion and replace it with a new segment.]

"Where do I get the replacement segment?" Tatehan asked.

[Tool storage. Bottom shelf, far left. There's a container with various conduit segments of different sizes. You'll need a section of blue-coded conduit, approximately forty centimeters in length.]

Tatehan stood up and returned to the tool storage compartment. He found the container easily, it was clearly labeled with universal symbols. Inside were carefully organized conduit segments of various colors and sizes.

He selected a blue-coded segment that matched the damaged conduit and brought it back.

"Perfect," the AI said. "Now, use the plasma cutter to remove the damaged section. Set the intensity to level three, enough to cut through the conduit coating and internal wiring cleanly, but not so high that you risk damaging adjacent systems."

Tatehan adjusted the plasma cutter's dial to the number three setting. When he pressed the trigger, a thin, bright beam of concentrated energy emerged from the tip, about the length and thickness of a pencil.

[Cut on either side of the damaged area,] the AI instructed. [Make clean, perpendicular cuts so the replacement segment will fit properly.]

Tatehan carefully positioned the cutter and made his first cut. The plasma beam sliced through the conduit material like a hot knife through butter. It was clean, precise and with minimal resistance. A small amount of smoke rose from the cut, but nothing concerning.

He made the second cut on the other side of the damaged section, and the ruined piece of conduit came free. He set it aside carefully.

"Excellent," the AI praised. "Now take the replacement segment and position it between the two cut ends. You'll notice the ends have coupling mechanisms that should align."

Tatehan examined the replacement segment and saw what the AI meant, each end had a kind of mechanical fitting with grooves and locking tabs.

He carefully positioned the segment and pressed it into place on one end. There was a satisfying click as the coupling mechanism engaged.

[Use the conduit wrench to tighten the connection,] the AI instructed. [Turn clockwise until you feel significant resistance.]

Tatehan selected the appropriate size setting on the adjustable wrench and fit it over the coupling. He turned clockwise, feeling the mechanism tighten. After several rotations, it became much harder to turn.

[That's sufficient,] the AI said. [Now repeat for the other end.]

Tatehan did so, and soon the replacement segment was securely installed, bridging the gap where the damaged section had been.

[Final step: apply sealant around both couplings. This will prevent any energy leakage and protect against environmental corrosion.]

The sealant applicator was intuitive to use. Tatehan squeezed the trigger, and a dark, viscous substance emerged from the nozzle. He carefully applied it around both coupling points, creating complete seals.

[Perfect,] the AI said. [Use the diagnostic scanner again to confirm the repair is successful.]

Tatehan scanned the newly installed section. The device beeped affirmatively, and the screen showed all green indicators.

[Repair successful,] the AI confirmed. [That conduit is now operating at full capacity. Power flow through that line has increased from fifteen percent to eighty-five percent.]

"Wait, just that one repair increased it that much?" Tatehan asked, surprised.

[That particular conduit is a primary power line,] the AI explained. [It feeds multiple secondary systems. However, there are eleven more damaged conduits that need similar repairs before the entire Power Coupling system is restored to full capacity.]

Tatehan sat back on his heels, looking at the tools around him.

Eleven more repairs?

Bloody hell!

This was going to take a while.

"How long do you estimate?" he asked.

[At your current pace, approximately four to five hours of work, including necessary breaks.]

Tatehan nodded. "Alright. Show me the next one."

The work was tedious but not difficult.

Each repair followed essentially the same process: locate the damaged conduit, scan it, cut out the damaged section, install a replacement, seal it, verify the repair.

Some access points were easier to reach than others. A few required Tatehan to squeeze into tight spaces or work with his arms extended in awkward positions. One required him to actually crawl into a maintenance tunnel that ran beneath the main cabin floor.

But the AI guided him patiently through each repair, offering advice on positioning, warning him about sensitive components nearby, confirming when each repair was successful.

If not for his enhanced brain and his increase in knowledge points, Tatehan would have given up halfway.

———

After the sixth repair, he took a break.

He stood up, stretched his aching back and arms, and checked the time. Three hours had passed.

"I need food," he announced. "And a drink."

"Understandable. Take thirty minutes. The work will resume when you're ready."

Tatehan made his way to the kitchen area and decided on something quick but more substantial than cereal. He found eggs in the preservation storage—real eggs, somehow, though he had no idea where they'd originally come from, and decided on scrambled eggs.

He cracked four eggs into a bowl, added a splash of the milk substitute, and whisked them together. Then he heated a pan and poured the mixture in, stirring as it cooked.

While the eggs cooked, he found some bread and put two slices in the small heating unit that served as a toaster.

The eggs finished cooking just as the toast popped up. He plated everything, grabbed a cold beverage from the refrigeration unit (preserved like the other items). It was some kind of fruit juice. He took it and sat down at the small table.

The meal was simple but satisfying. The eggs were fluffy and warm, the toast was crispy, and the cold drink was refreshing.

He ate slowly, giving his body time to rest and refuel.

After exactly thirty minutes, he cleaned up his dishes and returned to the main cabin.

[Ready to continue?]the AI asked.

"Ready," Tatehan confirmed, picking up his tools.

Five more conduits to repair.

'I can do this!'

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