Fantastic_mechanic.rar

Hix slammed the lever forward. In the engine room, the improvised synchronizer groaned. The microwave emitter glowed a violent purple, and the scrap crystal began to vibrate so fast it blurred. Jax stood inches away, holding a heat shield made of a cafeteria tray, his eyes wide.

"The hyper-drive's synchronizer is toasted, Cap," Jax said, his voice raspy from inhaling ion fumes. "And by toasted, I mean it’s currently a very expensive paperweight." fantastic_mechanic.rar

The air in the ship was getting thin, that metallic, recycled taste of a dying vessel. The crew huddled in the galley, watching the shadows dance as Jax’s welding torch flared in the hold. "Ready?" Jax croaked into his comms. Hix slammed the lever forward

Jax looked at the glowing, jury-rigged monstrosity he’d built. "Don't ask me how it works, Cap," he whispered, closing his eyes. "Just don't turn it off." Jax stood inches away, holding a heat shield

Jax didn't answer. He was already diving back in. To anyone else, the engine was a mess of wires and gears. To Jax, it was a symphony that had gone out of tune. He closed his eyes, placing his oil-stained hands on the vibrating hull. He felt the rhythmic pulse of the auxiliary power, the stutter of the cooling fans, and the hollow silence where the drive should be humming.

"Jax?" Hix’s voice came over the speaker, sounding breathless. "We’re doing twelve knots over light speed. How?"

"Jax, if this blows, we won't even have time to scream," Hix replied from the bridge. "Just punch it, Cap."