7 May 2014
Swarm Hive receives word that Epsilon accepts the proposal. IM decides to finish the Academy before starting construction of her own Commercial Shipyard (as Epsilon's design has become known). Her illness had made her painfully aware of the leadership problems the Hive still faced. A training institution would go a long way to alleviating those problems.
22 June 2014
The research facilities send a comprehensive report on the principles behind a Pressurised Water Reactor. Not a very useful technology at present, but nonetheless groundbreaking as it is the first high energy application of TN technology developed. Just as Kappa had predicted, it paves the way for a TN based engine that will vastly outperform the conventional engines currently available. This research is predicted to be even more difficult than development of the reactor, however.
Instead of starting with that, IM orders the facilities to begin development of an engine capable of being assembled and fitted in a Commercial Shipyard.
27 July 2014
The design for the engine is delivered to IM's desk and the laboratories begin work on the next generation of engine technology: Nuclear Thermal.
22 August 2014
"Just got word, the last fuel refinery has been upgraded to TN technology" US reported. She was standing in the doorway to IM's office. IM herself had a massive stack of papers in front of her that she was studying very intensely. "What's up?"
"Have you had a look at our mineral consumption recently?" IM asked.
"Of course, I look at it all the time. We are producing more than we are using of all types and we have decent stockpiles. Why, what's wrong?" US entered and sat down on the edge of the desk, pulling a few of the papers towards her.
"I'm a little concerned" IM replied, "about our Neutronium stockpiles. Apparently our mines are having some difficulty in extracting it."
US shrugged. "The stuff's deep. Nothing to be done about that. We are still managing to extract more than we need."
"Only because we don't need much at the moment. As soon as we start building starships and shipyards that will change. And we don't really have any way to increase production."
"We'll have to look offworld then, I suppose. I saw planet four has some big deposits..." US began, but was interrupted by IM.
"Which is almost just as difficult to get to. Add to that the thin atmosphere and the difficulty in getting the drones there to operate the mines and it almost isn't worth the effort."
"There must be accessable Neutronium somewhere in the system."
IM shook her head. "That's the thing. There isn't! Planet four is the best source of accessable Neutronium in the system and it's terrible. The only other alternative is the asteroid belt."
"The asteroid belt?" US asked. "You complain about the thin atmosphere on planet four and figure that trying to mine it somewhere with NO atmosphere is a better proposition?"
"But our survey stated, and I quote, 'can almost be picked up off the surface'. If we can find a way to get mining operations started there..."
"Yes, 'if'" US cut her off. "A pretty big 'if' considering that anyone there would essentially be operating in hard vaccuum."
"Well, yes, there is that" IM admitted. "But if we could get there, we would be set! At least for a while."
"I'll ask PC to take a look at it, but it isn't really her speciality. She prefers things that fly around."
22 October 2014
IM walked along the halls of the Academy. Drones were still carrying in a last few pieces of equipment, but it was essentially finished. IM rarely left Swarm Hive anymore due to her health, but the Academy had been her brainchild and she decided it was worth the risk to see it herself. Besides, she hadn't coughed in months.
She could smell the rich, dusty smell that was the hallmark of the years of neglect. It reminded her of the libraries of Lambda hive, where she had spent years of her life. A different life. Now, here, the Academy would be what those libraries had been to her then. An escape from the oppressive influence of the Queens. At least, that was the plan.
IM's shoulders sagged. Of course the Queens would try to gain some measure of control over this facility. Some way to influence what goes on here and what is taught. Even if their suggestions were dumb, they would want them executed just to create the illusion of power.
She sighed. "Have the new production orders been forwarded to the various industrial centres yet?" she asked an aide keeping pace with her.
"Being done as we speak, First Governor. US-93 reports that she is on top of things and you should enjoy your holiday."
'On top of things.' Indeed. IM hadn't forgotten that US-93 had originally been the Queen of Delta Hive, with all the ruthlessness that that entailed. She would not be surprised to find out when she got back that US had led a coup to depose her while she was on her 'holiday'.
27 October 2014
The second slipway of Gamma Yards is completed. Further expansion is halted due to work on the Commercial Shipyard and shortages of Neutronium for both projects.
What is really happening:
Academy construction complete. Switching over to building a commercial shipyard.
It seems the Wrix are in for a Neutronium crunch soon. While I have sizable amounts to be mined, accessibility is only 0.2. Hope I don't need military vessels any time soon.
At least I have plenty of Duranium and Corundium, the minerals I usually crunch on.
Not sure I can do 1 per day of this length. I have a big exam coming up in about 3 weeks and I need to study.