HIPPOCAMPUS
STARDATE 10.26.24
PROJECT-X
In a secure room, a highly classified conversation was taking place. The atmosphere was casual and informal, but still official. Captain Mobula sat across from Admiral Autumn/Winter, Providence, Head of Research and Development, and Lubrus, High Master of Engineering. Glasses full of water and coffee sat on the table before them. As Captain Mobula reached for her water, her black manta fin draped over the table momentarily. She took a sip before continuing.
“As I was saying,” Captain Mobula said in a soft, soothing voice. “Our Kinetic Torpedoes are powerful, but inaccurate at longer ranges. Additionally, the more energy we charge them with, the more limited in range they become. Initially, I was confident in the destructive power our Kinetic Torpedoes could generate. But after engaging the Regime in several battles, I realized that there is room for improvement.”
Providence and Lubrus took notes on their computer pads while Admiral Autumn/Winter listened intently with both of his heads. He was one of the Ettin. His right head, Autumn spoke next.
“But our Overloaded Kinetic Torpedoes can reach out to 120,000 kilometers. Standard Kinetic Torpedoes can reach 200,000 kilometers. Is this not sufficient, Captain Mobula?”
“I used to think so,” Captain Mobula said, tilting her head so her two horn-like protrusions pointed at the Admiral for a split-second. “But after encountering the Regime, I have since changed my mind. You see, a Regime FZ4 Battlecruiser will float out just beyond our Overload Range, sniiping at us constantly with their Neutron Bolts and Phaser-7’s, whittling down our Shields, all the while launching a steady stream of Light Missiles to keep our Phaser-5’s occupied. We then find ourselves in a game of cat and mouse, with us as the cat constantly chasing the quicker, elusive mouse. It is at that point that the limited Range of our Kinetic Torpedoes becomes apparent.”
“Speaking of Phasers, how do you feel our Phaser-5’s compare to the Regime’s Phaser-7’s?” the Admiral’s left head, Winter, asked.
“Our conclusion is very similar to that of our Kinetic Torpedoes. While our Phaser-5’s are deadlier at close range, the Regime’s Phaser-7’s can hit us from much further. This perfectly compliments their long range tactical game. Furthermore, using up a Phaser-5 against a single Light Missile is overkill, something of a waste. My crew and I suggest that the Republic come up with some sort of “lighter version” of the Phaser-5, one more suited to dealing with the Regime’s Light Missiles.”
Lubrus, an artifical, mechanical being with organic components, was intrigued. He answered in a strange, hollow voice. “An interesting suggestion, Captain Mobula. It may be possible to come up with a “Point Defense Phaser” which requires only part of energy required to charge a Phaser-5. It would be extremely limited in range, but we can make sure it generates enough destructive force to destroy a single Light Missile. One issue I can foresee is one of space. It would require the same space aboard a starship as a Phaser-5, despite being a weaker version.”
Providence, a being with three eyes, commented, “Why not fight a missile with a missile? We may be able to design a missle launcher that specifically targets enemy incoming missiles. Then we would not have to waste a Phaser shot at all. It would be a type of…’Anti-Missile.'”
Captain Mobula smiled slightly. She was pleased that her feedback regarding the Republic First Cruiser was generating positive results. She imagined that since all Captains of the First Cruiser had been recalled to Republic Space for this interview, they most likely provided similar conclusions.
“This is good information, Captain Mobula,” Autumn, the Admiral’s right head stated. “We thank you for taking the time to come back and provide us with this information personally. Now do you have anything to add beside the weapons utilized by the Republic First Cruiser?”
“Yes…yes I do,” Captain Mobula said, taking another sip from her glass of water. Her long tail, which was hanging down from her chair, whipped back and forth slightly. “The Republic First Cruiser has a notorious ‘blind spot’ in its aft section. Not only is our Aft Shield the weakest Shield out of all our Shields, but we have no weaponry that can fire directly to our rear. We find ourselves turning constantly to bring our starboard and portside Phaser-5’s to bear, but as you know, the Republic First Cruiser is not the most maneuverable of starships.”
Lubrus replied, “I wish a Refit could solve those issues, but there simply isn’t room on the Republic First Cruiser to install more weapons pointing to the rear. This is something we will have to incorporate into our Second Cruisers.”
Lubrus looked at Providence, who stared back silently with his third eye.
“Anything else, Captain?” Admiral Autumn/Winter asked.
“I know the Republic First Cruiser is limited in the amount of systems that can be installed,” Captain Mobula said, wrapping her manta fins around herself as she typically does. “But if the future Second Cruisers are going to be larger, I would suggest to add more Shuttles, Tractor Beams, Transporters, and Laboratories. Oh, and there can never be more than enough Power. More power systems would be of great benefit, more Batteries for Reserve Power especially.”
There was a moment of silence in the room as all the occupants considered everything that had been said. Then Admiral Autumn/Winter, Providence, and Lubrus stood up.
“Captain Mobula, we thank you for providing this information to us. Your service to the Republic has been exemplary. We hold your feedback regarding the Republic First Cruiser in high regard. We will examine all of these considerations to the best of our ability.”
Captain Mobula nodded and then stood up to leave the room. But Admiral Autumn/Winter called out to her one last time.
“CAPTAIN MOBULA. BE PREPARED TO TAKE COMMAND OF ONE OUR SECOND CRUISERS ONCE THEY ARE BUILT. YOU AND YOUR CREW ARE GOING TO WITNESS, FIRSTHAND, THE FRUITS OF OUR CONVERSATION TODAY.”
