Chronicles of Sol: The Fall-Chapter 236 - One Ninety-Six Update Program Marches On

July 28th, 007 SDE; Port Qeritas, Raider Territory:

The figure sighed as they set down the report, "Well as bad as this is, we've at least found a lead on where these phantoms are."

"Not a good one, I used to work on a carrier, three ships is too few for a squadron, and strike missions are usually done at the squadron level. My bet? That was a long-range patrol."

"A patrol? Those ships are too small to have any kind of range, I'd imagine there is barely enough space for the pilot."

"Can be done, there are fighters designed for long-haul flights like that. Comfort isn't the best, but they are serviceable. Although if it is a patrol I'd imagine a supply shuttle was likely hanging around in the area."

"Supply shuttle? Why?"

"Carriers use supply shuttles for a number of reasons, for one it helps them extend the practical deployment range of their fighters and it allows them to resupply said fighters in the field without them having to land at the carrier. Both factors are desirable for a patrol, as it means the patrol can stay out longer and if they run into someone, they can shoot them up and keep going without having to head back and rearm. The supply shuttle rearms them instead. You'd only need one."

"Well we didn't see a shuttle, but a lead is a lead."

"Losing two frigates and three corvettes with little to show for it does bring this into question."

"Agreed, but we do need to know where they are. If for no other reason than it would help us predict how soon before they can respond to an incursion into Drifter space. Right now there are a few juicy targets I'm looking at. Ones that are a lot softer than our phantom friends."

"Sounds good, if we get anything good that should make up for the losses, but we do need to make plans for the next battle against the Phantoms."

The figure turned the projectors on, a hologram of an alien fighter was displayed, "Right, well they do have a solid fighter design. A healthy set of weapons, fairly advanced armor, no shields but extremely agile. Deadly at close range. I've got a couple of ideas for helping deal with them. Hmm, how does a trip to Raythil space sound to you?"

"Oh? You've got something in mind?"

"Our spies found something interesting, might be nothing, might be a game changer, best we got it rather than the Raythil. If it turns out to be a bust, we can always retrofit the fleet with light missile launchers and flak turrets."

"There is something to be said about conventional solutions, but a field trip does sound nice. Should I get your ship ready to depart?"

"Yes, but make sure those flak turrets and missile launchers I wanted installed were done properly."

"Understood.

EFS Enterprise:

Countryman stepped through the door letting it close behind him as he took in the familiar lab space, banks of computer consoles and equipment. Two familiar faces lined up by a console behind a transparent blast shield and out in the main test era, something that looked a lot like a turret housing. "So what did you two want to show me?"

Richards smiled, "Something our juniors put together, they did a stellar job." she gestured at the turret, then pressed a few controls demonstrating its movements, they were pretty good.

"A new turret?"

Ruri nodded, "Yes, one designed to fit my pulsar torpedoes. This one can fit two launchers and can be fitted on the 1205."

Countryman whistled, "Well now that is an interesting surprise. I can actually see a few uses for that"

Richards grinned, "So could I, I've already started work on including it into the default loadout for the X-1205 as part of our update program." She tapped on the controls and brought up a new display. "Here's what I'm thinking. We've been using it in a number of roles, so why not unify two of them? For the production version we will update the spinal guns to heavy mount cannons, fit four dual turrets onto the hull. Port and starboard, two turrets each, and we will add a pulsar turret to the shuttle's dorsal here. The single forward torpedo launcher will be maintained. This configuration with the armor and energy web projectors she already has would let her serve as a medium gunship and light bomber. If we need something heavier, well I've got an idea I plan to discuss in council."

"Anything you care to share now?"

"Well I've been thinking ahead as to what we will need and what we have. It's more or less a budget and time saver. A stop gap until something better comes along."

Ruri sighed, "I tried to pry it out of her, she doesn't want to share her idea just yet."

"Well this idea for the X-1205 looks pretty serviceable."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Ruri nodded.

Countryman gestured at the turret, "So which pulsar launcher type is in there?"

"The light model, same type as on the SF-1204." replied Ruri, "Megumi here asked me to develop a heavier model, but I'm a bit busy with the sensor project. I passed it on to the same team that designed this turret, and my notes on pulsar tech. Maybe they'll come up with something?"

Countryman looked at Richards, "What do you want a heavier pulsar launcher for?"

"I'll tell you at the upcoming council meeting. I'm sure you'll agree."

Countryman nodded, even as he considered a few ideas on why she would want one. The Pulsar was rapidly becoming an indispensable part of their arsenal. Perhaps even a proper evolution of their electro-cannon technology. Time would only tell on that, the Ionic Plasma warheads were unstable when you scaled them up, a problem Ruri had yet to solve. He figured he would keep an eye on this team of budding juniors, if they could solve the issue they might just push their science forward in interesting ways.

"So is there anything else you'd care to share?"

Richards nodded, "Our engine and armor tests are going well. We've propagated the modifications through the entire fleet. So far we aren't seeing any issues. If anything White's group and the other tests are showing the fuel savings are quite significant, near zero drain for most ships. We'd be able to stay in the storm almost indefinitely."

"I've noted that, and with how valuable fuel is here, we might be able to build a stockpile. That brings in mind something I wanted to discuss. Recall the fuel depot we discussed the other day?"

"I do."

"I'd like you to make it larger, we might not fill it up, but I'd feel better if we had a large reserve."

"Agreed and who knows, we seem to be finding Raider vessels in our space. They seem to be a good source of salvage and the occasional fuel pod."

"I wouldn't rely on it," replied Countryman as he gave the turret one last look before leaving.

Sali watched her instruments, nudging the controls slightly as she lined up. Then she pushed the throttle just a tad before dropping it, a small thud and a click sounded. The computer beeped, "Docking port engaged."

She switched the engines to standby, started the rearming process and turned towards the crawlspace. They'd been patrolling this debris field since yesterday. Long-range comms had informed them that two Artic class shuttles plus escort had been dispatched for salvage operations. They had new orders, they were to remain on station until their relief arrived and defend their new assets. Once the relief arrived they were to resume their shakedown patrol.

Sali opened the airlock and clambered up the ladder. The hatch closed behind her, and then she opened the next one into the shuttle and exited in the main area. Fujiwara was the first to greet her, "How you feeling after your first combat sortie in a 1204?"

She grinned, "Pretty good actually. I even scored a kill! Outside of simulations I've never taken something that big down."

Fuji giggled, "It feels pretty good doesn't it. There isn't a rush like it, even better when you are outnumbered and the odds are against you."

Mitchel came over, "I saw the footage, good job rookie. Now did you remember to start the rearming process?"

"I did, the computers should be replacing my spent warheads. Didn't use that many, just a couple of torpedoes."

"Will take some getting used to that, those pulsars are quite the welcome addition."

Fuji grinned, "I can't wait to try 'em out, myself."

Mitchel secured her helmet and made for the hatch, "Well I better get out there, and you should get some rest."

Fuji nodded, "Right so you should," she gestured to the bunks, "White laid herself down as soon as she got here. Go join her, I'll greet Eri when she gets here."

Sali nodded, "Sure."

Yawning, she made her way out of the rec area and into the bunk section. It was just a corner of the room cordoned off by moving plates and curtains over the 'door.' Passing through the curtain she started working off her flight suit. The uniform top came first, leaving her breasts covered only by the thin skinsuit, then went her boots and bottoms. She didn't bother with the skin suit, too tired to strip further before she climbed into her bunk. Only idly noting that White was lounged out on hers in much the same state, the blanket in too much disarray to protect her modesty.

It was kinda cute actually, but Sali paid it little heed. She was asleep the moment she hit the pillow. Not even dreams greeted her.

Vera watched the console as the engineering team finished the final steps of the refit. The display turned blue and the automatic diagnostic ran. After a minute she flipped the switch and the generator came to life.

The core went from a dull lifeless color to a fluctuating series of light blue and green. The room filling with a pleasing electronic hum. On the console, numerous readings were displayed, as more protocols automatically conducted diagnostics. "Good job girls and boys, we've got shields!"

One of them came forward, a young girl, "So, um, Miss? How's it look?"

"Matrix is stable, field strength is rising. No unexpected issues. I have a few things to do, but you can move on to working on the bay shields in the hangars."

"Right, port hangar was next, right?"

Vera nodded, "I'll be by in a couple of hours to conduct the tests. Sound good?"

"Plenty of time for us to do the work."

"Perfect," she replied, as she went about working on the optimizations. She felt much happier knowing that both radiation shield generators were online and functioning. The only thing left was to sync them and get them into proper form. There was some leakage, and other small issues, all expected.

Vera figured she'd have that all fixed in about twenty minutes, then she could start work on the interesting bit. Getting live data on a triphasic matrix, operating in hyperspace. The constant radiation bombardment was going to give her a lot of data to work with. Oh this was going to be quite interesting, she just knew it. It was going to play well with the new thesis she was working on, if the data followed her predictions, she would have something interesting to show the council soon enough.