Mistaken Identity || Star Wars Fanfic

Hellish Journey

Jaden climbed into the AT-TE, the air inside thick with the stench of smoke and death. Dead clones lay slumped over consoles and sprawled across the floor. The scene was grim, but Jaden had no time to dwell on it. He moved quickly to the control panel, dropping to his knees and prying open a maintenance hatch. The manual activation of the emergency power required going underneath the console and manually connecting the external power source. Sparks flew as he reconnected the wires, and the console flickered to life.

Jaden stood and surveyed the diagnostic readout. The engines were down, the main power was offline, weapons were disabled, and the hydraulics were shot. He let out a heavy sigh and called out, "Scout, Lock, get in here!"

Scout and Lieutenant Lock climbed inside, their expressions mirroring the seriousness of the situation.

"What's the status, General?" Lock asked.

Jaden pointed to the screen. "The engines and main power are down, the weapons systems are offline, and the hydraulics are damaged. We need to get this thing operational. Lock, coordinate with the clones outside to handle the external repairs. Scout, you'll help me inside."

Lock nodded and left to organize the clones. Scout stayed by Jaden's side, her eyes scanning the damage. "Scout, how are you on fixing tech?" He asked.

"Better than any Padawan in the temple," she responded with a snort. Though she was inflating herself a bit, there were a few people that were much better than her; Skywalker for one.

Jaden nodded. "Start working on the weapons systems. We need them online in case we encounter any threats. I'll tackle the engines and main power."

Scout nodded and moved to the weapons console, tools in hand. She began by dismantling the damaged targeting computer, her fingers deftly working to replace fried circuits and reconnect severed cables.

Jaden crouched beside the engine compartment, the tight space making it difficult to manoeuvre. He used the Force to steady his hands and guide his tools, realigning the misaligned couplings. It was gruelling work, his muscles straining with each movement. The sharp edges of the components cut into his fingers, drawing blood. He winced but kept working, his focus unwavering.

Next, he moved to the main power source. The generator was a mess of tangled wires and scorched panels. Jaden scavenged parts from less critical systems, cannibalizing components to make the necessary repairs. He replaced damaged panels with reinforced durasteel plates and patched the cooling system with a makeshift sealant concocted from various fluids and adhesives. Each task was long and gruelling, requiring precision and patience. He cut his hand again while tightening another bolt, the pain sharp and immediate. He pressed on, he could've used the force to do all of this but when he tried it felt strange, it didn't feel natural. Plus doing multiple tasks that require precision and concentration was a bit beyond him now.

Scout called out from the weapons console, "I've almost got the targeting system back online, but the power relays are still fried. We need to reroute the auxiliary power."

"Good work, Scout. I'll handle the relays next," Jaden replied, moving to the hydraulic system. The damage was extensive. He used the fusion cutter to trim frayed ends and soldered the hydraulic lines back together. The heat from the cutter singed his skin, and the cramped space made every movement difficult. He used the Force to hold the cables still while he made precise adjustments to patch the system.

Outside, Lock and the clones worked tirelessly to repair the external damage. They replaced damaged armour plates and reinforced weak points. The sound of welding filled the air, only drowned out by the constant barrage of rain. Finally, after hours of work, Jaden reconnected the main power conduits. He held his breath as he flipped the switch to activate the engines and generator. The hum of machinery roared to life, and he allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction.