05/08/828, 2000 - We finally rebuilt the cruiser and headed out for our first trial course. I have loaded up my vessel with spare parts and supplies just in case something unexpected happens, although I will do my best to avoid any hostile confrontation if I can. Our automated gunnery systems are connected to the main gunnery console, but some of our guns are misaligned slightly, which means that our accuracy would sub par. Our damage control also isn't in top shape yet, as robotic crewmen get confused when too many orders are issued. My technicians are working on this problem, but it hasn't been solved yet.
During our first trials - we tested vessel's maneuverability. As we removed a lot of mass from its central hangar position and moved to the bow and stern, vessel is eager to respond to helm's instruction, but is prone for overturning with extra inertia. Vessel is also more stern heavy and variable thruster nozzles have more control authority than maneuvering thrusters at the bow. We will need adjust thickness of our armor plating to compensate - armor plating around non-essential areas at the stern will be reduced to save-up mass and move it to reinforced plating at the central and bow areas.
More issues come with primary propulsion. The most notable are vibrations through lower central area of the vessel. While the hull flexing was mostly mitigated - we had to install additional ultrasound detectors into the hangar structure to search for any developing faulty lines for future adjustments.
Vibrations are still the issue - while they are manageable when at impulse speed, afterburners increase them significantly and vibrations are noticeable by human ear. However, the biggest issue shows up when we engage cruise drive. Vibrations are so severe, that they are noticeable by human legs in insulated boots and they are hazard for any snubcraft stored in there. As long as we do not solve these vibrations, hangar space is unusable for anything larger than probes or lifeboats, as their smaller size allows them to be suspended from the ceiling for protection. So far, proposed solution will be insulating engine's vibration from the main hull or installing less rattling engines. We will see, what is more feasible for us.
MNS Amalfi on its shakedrown cruise through Omicron Alpha.
These trials have been conducted in the safety of Omicron Alpha as we were cruising or impulsing around the system and taking our internal measurements for further evaluation.
LOST IN STORM
06/08/828, 0100 - Complications came, when we have decided to test our new Jump Drive from Starfliers. They are so nice that they provided several coordinates free of charge to test our engine and we have decided to input Starflier Base in Kepler coordinates and spool up our drive. To their credit, engine charged up flawlessly and actual jump was smooth as well. However, our Jump Drive was fed up with unsynchronized inertial navigation system and we landed up somewhere in Dark Matter Storm with no idea where we are exactly.
We have received several power blackouts through the vessel and we were struck by storm's lightnings, but nothing serious. If anything, it really spooked my less experienced crew. While our critical systems are intact and functioning, we need to set up our inertial navigation system correctly in order to have precise jump coordinates. With lack of navigational features in Black Matter Storm, however, we are unable to pinpoint are precise location. While we can engage our jump drive again and hope for the best, it is probably not adviseable with unreliable vessel as Amalfi at this moment.
MNS Amalfi lost in Dark Matter Storm. We have cruised for several hours in hopes of finding any navigation feature or signal to pinpoint our location.
While we have supplies for several months, heavy radiation will brick our ship and claim our lives much faster. My chief technician came up with an idea, that we can use our quantum computers to calculate most probable coordinates of our vessel based on our most probable vector and point of origin from Omicron Alpha. I have no idea what he is talking about, but I am willing to give him the time he needs to try his solution before I fire up our jump drive randomly again.
