Chapter 13: Learning the Craft

April 1, 2024

I stood outside the engineering bay, shaking off the last remnants of the sparring session with Luke. My body no longer ached like it had moments ago.

The tightness in my muscles from Luke's blows had disappeared, replaced by a refreshed energy, as if my body had absorbed and repaired itself. This strange, rapid recovery was becoming more apparent each day, especially after a quick meal or short rest.

I exhaled slowly, stepping through the sliding doors of the engineering bay. It was time to focus on the next lesson. Ty, the crew's hacker and tech specialist, was waiting for me.

My mind switched gears as I walked into the room, taking in the sight of Ty surrounded by multiple holo-screens, each displaying complex lines of code, diagnostics, and schematics.

"Ready to learn something new?" Ty greeted me with a wry grin, not looking up from his work.

I moved closer, glancing at the numerous devices and scattered drone parts spread across the workbench. "As ready as ever. What's on the agenda?"

Ty finally turned to face me, pushing his glasses back up on his nose. "Today, you'll learn the basics of holo-tech. We're starting simple, but I expect you to catch on fast. You're a quick study, right?"

"Let's hope so." I offered a slight smile, already tuning into the environment. Every bit of information I saw or heard started slotting into place in my mind, ready to be processed.

Ty gestured toward a half-assembled drone on the workbench. "This is a recon unit we use for scouting. Compact, silent, efficient… when it's working, that is. This one's glitched, so your job today is fixing the core processor. Sound good?"

I nodded. Though I had little hands-on experience with tech like this, something told me I'd be able to handle it. My gift, whatever it was, seemed to work beyond just physical ability. I felt my brain absorbing knowledge faster, as if the information was already familiar before Ty even explained it.

"First," Ty began, tossing me a small tool kit, "we need to rewire the processor. After that, you'll recalibrate the sensors. It's a little finicky, but manageable if you keep a steady hand."

I watched closely as Ty demonstrated, his fingers moving with expert precision as he disconnected a few wires and pulled out a small circuit board. He handed it over to me, pointing to the connections. "Here's the issue: the energy flow's misaligned. If you correct the wiring, this should power back up properly."

I leaned in, studying the drone's inner workings.

Though it was complex, the structure made sense. In no time, I found the malfunction Ty had pointed out. With careful hands, I started rewiring, my mind piecing together how the tech functioned like a puzzle.

"You're catching on quicker than I expected," Ty commented, watching me closely as I worked. "Most people need a few tries before they get the hang of something like this."

I shrugged, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. "I just process things fast, I guess."

Ty smirked, clearly impressed. "Good. That'll come in handy. Keep at it."

We worked for the next couple of hours, Ty guiding me through more complex systems, explaining how different tech on the ship functioned. The more I learned, the more I realized how advanced the Arcanum really was.

The systems aboard were miles ahead of the rudimentary tech I'd seen back on Nexus-9. By the time we finished, I had a working knowledge of basic holo-tech and a deeper appreciation for how this crew functioned.

Ty slapped me on the back as we finished recalibrating the drone. "You've got a knack for this. With some practice, you might just be able to keep up with me."

I chuckled. "Maybe. Or maybe I'll surpass you."

Ty raised an eyebrow but grinned. "Bold. I like that. We'll see if you can back it up."

....

Later that evening, after a quick meal, I found myself back in the training area. This time, Luke wasn't there to test my combat skills. Instead, it was Rina, the sniper of the crew. I'd asked her earlier if she could teach me a thing or two about precision shooting, and she had agreed, though not without her usual detached attitude.

Rina was already standing by the range when I arrived, cleaning her sniper rifle with expert hands. She barely acknowledged me as I walked in, but I could tell from the subtle nod she was ready.

"You're serious about learning everything, huh?" she asked without looking up, her voice low and smooth.

I nodded. "Yeah. I want to know it all."

Rina stood up, her movements sharp and efficient, and handed me a sleek, compact rifle. "Fine. Let's start with the basics, then."

She moved to the console on the side of the training area and activated a series of targets at varying distances. "This isn't about brute force, like your sparring sessions with Luke. This is about precision, patience, and timing."

I raised the rifle, adjusting my grip. Rina watched me closely, her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing every move I made. "Too tense," she said, stepping behind me to adjust my stance. "Loosen your shoulders. This isn't hand-to-hand combat. Let the rifle do the work."

I relaxed my grip, adjusting to the weight of the weapon. Rina's sharp gaze followed my movements as I lined up the first shot. The target, a small, hovering disc, blinked red in the distance.

"Now, breathe. Don't pull the trigger. Squeeze it. Let the shot come naturally."

I inhaled slowly, focusing on the target, and exhaled as I squeezed the trigger. The rifle recoiled lightly, and the shot rang out. The disc shattered as the bullet hit dead center.

Rina didn't react, but I could see the faintest hint of approval in her eyes. "Not bad for a first shot. But that was the easy part. Let's see how you handle moving targets."

She activated a new set of targets, each one darting across the range at erratic speeds. I took aim, focusing on their movements. This was different, more challenging. But, like with Luke, I could feel my mind adapting. Each target's pattern became clearer, and with each shot, I grew more confident.

One by one, I hit the targets. My movements were smoother, my shots more precise. Rina didn't say much, but I could tell by the slight nod she gave after each hit that she was impressed.

"Keep this up, and you might give me a run for my money," she said as I lined up my final shot, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"I'm learning from the best," I replied, squeezing the trigger one last time. The final target shattered, and I lowered the rifle, feeling a surge of satisfaction.

....

By the end of the day, I had learned more than I could have expected. Between Ty's tech lessons and Rina's shooting tips, I could feel myself growing, not just physically but mentally. Every skill I absorbed was another step toward mastering this new world.

And I wasn't done yet. The crew had more to offer, and I was ready to learn it all.