Vega Log Mk 1,7
Log Report 20
James Mace
Position: Vega captain; Lyra Defensive Wing technical supervisor
Topic: Avionics and weaponry systems mount
Well, we finally got down to the controls and avionics. While we were busy with the armor and external systems, the team inside prepared the ship for the installation of new equipment from Daumann Heavy Construction and Rheinland Military according to their blueprints. The main cable routes had already been laid-power cables from the reactor were distributed to all sectors, with the main bundle going to the switchboard designed to deliver and accumulate sufficient energy for the ship's fire control systems. In turn, signal and control cables had also already been installed from the captain's bridge to the switchboard distribution station. All signal systems had also been installed, and all that remained was to install the ship's control and backup bridges, as well as various avionics systems.
Daumann Heavy Construction led the installation of avionics systems. Our engineers and installers worked together as closely as possible to speed up the work-we were entrusted with installing the equipment, while they took care of the subsequent configuration and trial calibration, as well as emulating various maneuvers. Our team was provided with comprehensive documentation and technical regulations-at first glance, the equipment does not differ much from standard, more civilian-grade types. But the devil is in the details-it can operate for almost 5 hours without an external power supply, and the presence of various backup subsystems is simply remarkable. This ship will be fully prepared to survive in the most remote corners of Sirius.
Upon completion of the work, a control panel was installed on the bridge and backup bridge. The subsystem was ready for its first launch and shakedown run, after which we collaborated with Rheinland Military. While our team was working on the avionics, we provided a complete picture of the ship's various systems. And although we only have one Vega, all changes to the ship are documented, which has helped us with repairs on more than one occasion - sometimes repair work is carried out on Carthage rather than Livadia. After reviewing all of the ship's subsystems, it turned out that not everything was ready in terms of wiring. Moreover, many of the old fire and turbine subsystems would not work for us, as the ship will now be configured to Rheinland standards.
Our team focused on dismantling more unnecessary equipment. These included various mechanisms and hubs of low-power equipment from different eras. Since the ship had not been completely rebuilt before, the weaponry was a bizarre zoo of technologies from the long-gone days of Rheinland, Gas Miners Guild, as well as various civilian and Zoner-made equipment. In the big picture, this array of equipment was Vega's Achilles' heel, as legacy equipment is very difficult to reproduce, especially when it has encrypted proprietary software, which means that restoring the equipment is practically a shot in the dark. Now, given the complete overhaul, Vega's maintainability will increase exponentially, and Donagan will be less grumpy upon arrival at Livadia for maintenance.
While our team was busy dismantling the remaining legacy equipment, Rheinland Military, in collaboration with Daumann Heavy Construction, began installing guidance systems, fire control systems, voltage stabilization systems, and additional capacitors in case the powerplant was unable to deliver all the necessary power instantly. We expected the new equipment to be significantly smaller than the old equipment, as it was based on modern technology. But despite the progress, each system had three backups, and various subsystems, even power cables, had five backups running through different decks compartments. This greatly affected the complexity of maintenance, but it also increased the ship's survivability in conflict conditions.
Upon completion of the installation, we were given a detailed tour of the systems and subsystems, the new weapons, and the specifics of their operation. And although it was impossible to cover everything in one day, we have all the documentation at our disposal, which will be studied in detail in the coming weeks.
The final stage of assembly has begun - the shakedown. The team's nerves are so tense that the tension can be felt in the air. Although the specialists at Rheinland Military and Daumann Heavy Construction do not share the general excitement, they were kind enough to conduct numerous tests in a virtual simulation of the ship and the actual encapsulated environment of each module and its subsystems. So, after a lot of work, all the systems are showing green status, which hasn't happened since Vega launched, because a bunch of non-original plug systems weren't showing up on the main console due to closed source code and the high cost of reverse engineering it. All decks have been assembled. Cables and various peripherals have been secured, and the decks and compartments have regained their original luster and appearance after a year. The team has been replenished with personnel and has undergone additional training in accordance with the revision of our documents on Vega from our Rheinland partners.
The reactor was started up without any problems the day before launch, synthesis was set to the minimum value, all power on the ship was switched to an internal source, various safety and alarm systems were activated on the bridge, but the backup on Livadia was maintained, as all tests were launched from her board and the scientists would only finish their tests early in the morning.
So, we received Christian's test plan. Nothing remarkable, comparable to launching and testing all subsystems in various modes. The only difference was that the sparring opponent would not be another massive asteroid, but the pride of Phoenix shipbuilding - Hyperion. All systems were included in the protocol sequence, and the last signal cables connecting to Livadia were shot off. I ordered it to leave the dock at low thrust, gradually increasing to medium thrust - Vega finally broke free from the dry dock and was ready for full-scale testing.
The plan was as follows:
Sequential shutdown of systems and use of backup systems;
Maneuvering in an asteroid field;
Training with Hyperion in average conditions in the Omicron sector, which in fact complements the second point;
Stress testing of the reactor generation unit and its distribution systems for weapons.
We left the Livadia control zone and, together with Hyperion, pursued to the test sector - an unremarkable corner of the nebula, except for the advantage of not being in plain sight- where we could calmly conduct the entire range of tests. We started by checking all systems, from salvo fire to emergency lighting. Although the work was quite meticulous and labor-intensive, given the maximum attention to the project and the many simulations of subsystems under stress, virtually all systems were normal. A slight deviation from the declared characteristics was indicated by airlock number two, one of the doors did not reach the design speed and compression force - due to insufficient force, the second airlock was sealed, and Livadia was informed of the problem. Next, we performed automatic calibration on asteroids. Apart from minor guidance problems with gun 8 on the right side of the hull, no other problems were observed.
Once the general testing of the systems was complete, we proceeded to maneuvering. At maximum design speed, we began to dodge asteroids. Next, we performed various maneuvers - collision avoidance, evasive maneuvers against enemy fire. Considering the ship's mass, all tests were successful. And although this is far from the maneuverability capabilities of Hyperion or even Nephilim-class ships, this parameter is important at long distances, and Vega has plenty of everything else - firepower and armor.
Next, together with Hyperion, we moved out of the field in sparring mode, combining various evasive maneuvers and attacks - all tests were successful, including the shield regeneration modules - their fire resistance and regeneration were normal. And finally, the final step - a sprint race to the sun in Omicron Kappa and back to Livadia. On the way back, we made an unscheduled stop - a small patrol of the Nomads decided to test our patrol's power, which was a kind of confirmation of the test results.
Finally we have returned to Livadia, with Vega finally returning as a guest of the station - the dry dock was already being prepared for berthing and the start of servicing the next Nephilim-class vessel, and the crews of Vega and Hyperion, together with Rheinland specialists, were invited to a banquet in honor of the completion of the ship's reconstruction and the establishment of relations between the groups on a new level.
After the festivities, although they were quite modest by core worlds standards. But quite more prolonger in comparison of invitation ceremony - I wonder how many of liters of beer can be consumed by Rheinlander at night? As Livadia's stockpile of Rheinbier was dried quite fast. Anyway - Vega, having completed minor repairs identified after the exercises, regained its combat serial number and was assigned to Hyperion in the Lyra Defensive Wing, preparing to carry out its combat duties, restoring the fragile balance of power in Omicrons for Phoenix and its allies. Nevertheless, Vega will return for post shakedown availability to Livadia Shipyard after extensive usage in real combat exercises. But as for now - Vega is set for all duty to respond to any type of threats - whether they be the Nomads near Kadesh Orbital City, Freeport 11, or any other Corsair's mad quest in Omicron Theta. It shall provide a competitive answer to all foes.
![[Image: vega-acceptance-trails-report.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/5thsfJF5/vega-acceptance-trails-report.png)