R&D-Spree, progress report

[Karst]

The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of R&D's work on the Pilgrim-class Spree, including mechanical modifications and relevant missions undertaken.
Read access is granted to all R&D employees, as well as ALG's accounting department so they can see we're using all those juicy funds in a sensible manner.

- R&D team

Acquisition and initial evaluation

The Spree was purchased on 820-07-16 from a Junker who wished to remain anonymous (see IR 358).
R&D's first evaluation of the vessel was done at Invergordon Space Port, her home port at the time, with the following findings.

• The posterior bridge as well as the main crew sections and engine compartments are safely pressurized and have intact life support.
  Electrical systems are functional in decks 2-12 of that section but offline in deck 1 due to faulty wiring.
  Maintenance shafts 2C through 4D contain hazardous levels of radiation due to a failed rad shield on auxiliary reactor III and should not be accessed without appropriate gear.
  Maintenance shafts 6E and 6F are inaccessible due to exterior damage to the ship.
  
  
• The entirety of the the lower wing of the rear storage segment is unpressurized due to a gaping hole likely caused by a torpedo. Comparments D17-21, E18-21, and F19-22 are essentially non-existent due to said torpedo.
  The remainder of the lower wing is intact, though in a state of disrepair. This section is outfitted for passenger transport in what cannot be described as humane conditions.
  
  
• The upper wing, also intended for passenger transport, as well as the central section of the rear storage segment are in decent condition. This section has been modified extensively with several compartments merged and new connections opened, often in a crude manner with seemingly nothing more than blow torches and hand tools. It also shows the most recent signs of life and contains a large amount of rations, supplies, consumer items and personal belongings, in varying states of decay.
  Due to this and the section's evidently long-running life support systems, it contains a large number of pests, insects and rodents were spotted and with strange noises coming from some of the maintenance shafts, we were reluctant to investigate.
  It's also not entirely obvious if the section can even be purged, as the life support systems are divided into a number of subcircuits, some of which are apparently not connected to the ship's main systems at all.
  
  
• The lower wing of the forward storage section has been mostly stripped of subdivisions and used for bulk cargo. Though the section is pressurized, it contains high levels of toxic residue, including significant traces of lead and cadmium, several metric tons of gravel and dust presumably from hauling unrefined minerals, as well as moderate radiation from a currently unknown source.
  Although the section is well-sealed and oxygen levels are stable, the air is saturated with a variety of hazardous gases.
  Entering this section even with proper protective gear should probably be limited to robots at the moment.
  
  
• The upper wing of the forward storage section is currently unpressurized, again due to exterior damage to the main vertical shaft.
  This section is also presumably fitted for passenger transport, although it's only partially explored so far. The section's electrical system is ancient, likely dating back to the vessels original construction. While the main system uses Yttrium-based high temperature superconductors, the system in this section consists of archaic copper wiring.
  The two systems are totally incompatible and obviously not connected. The section clearly hasn't had functioning systems of any sort in centuries.
  Some of the so far opened compartments contain ancient personal belongings, a glimpse of life in the 5th century.
  Interestingly, some compartments are incredibly heavily built, comparable to security vaults, and without the electrical systems working or very heavy equipment which our team here doesn't have, cannot be accessed.
  Eldritch symbols on the walls invite us to leave well enough alone for now.
  
  
• The anterior bridge and the forward central compartment are pressurized and appear safe. However, damage to the central wiring means they aren't connected to the rest of the ship, and therefor none of the controls work.
  
  
• The portside "tank section" is also in good condition, including the crane, though again not connected to the main systems. Tanks B and D are leaky.
  
  
• The weapons system is entirely offline, although all turrets appear to be in workable condition. We suspect it's also, for whatever reason, simply not connected to the system.
  
  
• Most of the exterior armor plates have at least light combat damage, and all appear to have been replaced at least once. It can be said that none of the interior is in flawless condition due to widespread corrosion and wear damage and a large number of non-functional subsystems and fried redundant circuits.
  Despite all this, the ship is entirely flyable.
  The structural main frame is in excellent condition and the main reactor runs smoothly though not efficiently, a testament to the durability of this ancient, simple design.
  

With all critical systems online and the rear bridge habitable, our team decided to depart without any initial work. We fueled up, called a Delta wing escort, and set a course for Dortmund via Beaumont.

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