Vega Log Team Mk 1.7

[RedEclipse]

James report in. Although the condition of the reactor systems was known in advance to be in a dismal state, we performed diagnostics on the reactor to ensure safety of removal operations. And while outer radiation level was normal, we further analyzed the entire reactor vessel for microfractures. After the scan, several problems were identified:

• It is obvious that the plant has been drained of all its possible life, multiple microcracks were identified, although it should be taken as “normal condition” per its overall status and ship of this age.
  
• Multiple damages in the places of installation to the hull, plenty of work for laser cutter to extract the module.
  
• The condition of the internal cooling circuit is of greatest concern - multiple cracks may cause disaster during disassembly, it is recommended to drain and dispose of the coolant completely before the operation.
  

Upon arrival, ALG specialists were reported on the situation, but it was more of a bureaucratic moment, as their specialists got a comprehensive picture on the way to tow Vega to Carthage.

The first priority was to connect all life-support systems directly from Carthage. And although it was obviously not part of the original plans and obviously ruined the planned schedule of work - on my own responsibility, I decided to pre-power everything necessary before the start of major works, when we already need it. In proof I want to remember the undeniable fact - this will eventually reduce the speed of defective current systems and the extraction of the reactor, as well as the subsequent further works at Livadia.

As ALG reached out the dirty zone of the reactor, their specialists agreed with my conclusions and contacted Memphis to reinforce the contingent - to safely retrieve the reactor would require many more people than previously planned. In turn, the ALG insisted us on being busy with “something other than the reactor”, which I am extremely glad about, maneuvering on the edge of disaster is such a pleasure, although our team was quite trained - most of our people were from the engineering part of the Vega team, quite confident with the operation of reactor this type. But as Mr. Burton informed us to help the ALG team in every possible way - it was an honor to slip out of this job.

In order not to let our guys idle, and ALG teamwork did not seem to be sugar - we began to dismantle the external armor and power structure of the reactor for its subsequent extraction. All teams on board were instructed and the reactor compartment was silenced from the entire ship. We had no special problems with the dismantling of passive and active armor layers, it was more like a colander - although our tools and people had to sweat, but now we were able to remove everything necessary and already started partial dismantling of the power skeleton.

ALG has started drying out the external and internal circuit heat exchanger, their transporter is on its way to Vega, all waste will be taken care of. In the meantime, their team has evaluated the necessary inventory to build a new style reactor, identical to the current Bismarck vessel type. Further developments will be reported.