The Best for the Best

[Erzie]

May 11th, 824 A.S.
From Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Success

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Exceptional and extreme efforts were being made by all, reaching the peak of fatigue, the crews could only hold on for a day or so longer. Three weeks of solid work without a day off would wear anyone of weak spirit down to their wits end, and even the best available were still at the end of their ropes. Engineers and maintainers had been working solid to refit every component at the best of their abilities, every part being completely remade with only the best materials. Hoses were re-fabricated by metal specialists, each bent into perfect dimensions, and some even made more efficient in their length. Electrical systems were integrated even more so, each and every wire masterfully soldered and bundled. Circuit boards were re-programmed with minimal material requirements, and integrated as much as possible into relevant systems, with new options for optimization and customization at the power of the single pilot. Unused space was also utilized behind the pilot section, and with only the slight sacrifice of breathing room, engineers were able to make the egress system lighter overall with a change to the initiation sequence. Weapon channels were optimized, making power stems off of the main to recharge individual capacitors on each mounted weapon, keeping power drain efficient in all conditions, and power distribution more equal across all systems in high demand. The shield generator was further optimized, allowing more power to the engines during cruise operations. As for the scanning array, it found a new home at the nose of the craft, allowing for pinpoint locking and efficient scanning as the armor was thinnest at that point. All that remained was getting enough thrust.

The engines were, by far, the hardest challenge. The single-channel output system of the engines was light, but didn't produce enough thrust even with all components interchanged for their modernized counterparts. Fuel injection was already well optimized, however, the introduction of a second injection coil allowed the power core of the ship to also contribute to the burning process. MOX engines alone can produce both efficient and high-power output, however, at the cost of weight. Retrospectively, using the MOX system to maintain impulse speeds and an optimized H-fuel system to drive the cruise system, the primary impulse system would not be too heavy, and there would be enough added thrust together to allow for higher speeds to be maintained. Obviously drawing power from the internal generator core in the ignition process, the hybrid propulsion system would drive the new Sabre near interceptor speeds. Even still, the stress the engines put on the frame required additional supports to be installed, increasing the weight slightly, but not at the expense of significant maximum speed. With the necessary skeletal augmentations and secondary system installed the engine was remounted, and additional space was utilized for carrying fuel beyond the generator; the abomination of modern technology was finally ready to test.

May 12th, 824 A.S.

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James appeared on scene to inspect the work he had overseen. He was both satisfied and impressed. Test results yielded thrust numbers far beyond expectations in cruise state, and the skeletal structure was more than capable of handling the additional stress. The only sacrifices made were in a slight change of the look, and a bit of money and materials... a lot of both. With Iridium stockpiles slightly depleted and all other resources on site consumed, the completion of the task was no ordinary feat. As the ship was lowered off its cradle, it rested on the pad, a sight for sore eyes for those who had dedicated their work to such a grievous project. For those who worked so diligently on this endeavor, they would see a bonus in their pay, as well as paid leave on the Sanctuary for the next month until they would return to their normal positions. The vessel would see a short test flight as it returned to the Capital, everything working well within expectations. With everything in place, the Doctor made his call to the General Heinrich, confident she would be satisfied.