Ethan snapped out of his thoughts, the vast expanse of Indra IV fading from his mind as he decided it was time to act. Leaving his suite on the Star Forge, he began navigating the intricate network of corridors and decks that made up the orbital shipyard. The atmosphere aboard the Star Forge was unlike anything he had ever experienced—The artificial lighting casting a soft glow over the metallic corridors.
The station was eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of machinery and the occasional click of automated bots navigating the decks. The Star Forge wasn't bustling with activity—there were no engineers or technicians to fill its halls with noise and chatter. It was just him and the bots, the only "staff" on this orbiting shipyard.
The Star Forge itself wasn't operational in the way most shipyards were. There were no ships under construction, no components being assembled. It stood as a monument to potential, waiting for its owner to breathe life into it. For now, its state-of-the-art facilities remained idle, their immense capabilities untapped, save for Ethan's personal projects.
As he walked through the silent corridors, Ethan couldn't help but appreciate the sheer scale of the station. Despite its inactivity, the presence of bots—sophisticated automatons designed for maintenance and minor tasks—gave the place a sense of movement. They glided effortlessly along predefined paths, ensuring that the Star Forge remained in pristine condition.
After a short walk, Ethan arrived at the shipyard's main lab—a sleek and pristine space filled with high-tech facility designed for innovation and experimentation. Here, the potential of the Star Forge was most evident. With its state-of-the-art facilities, it was capable of producing some of the most advanced components in the Galactic Domain—provided Ethan had the resources and blueprints to guide it.
His destination today, however, wasn't the production line. Instead, he strode toward the VR pod, its sleek, futuristic design glowing faintly as it awaited his input. Today, his focus was on exploring the Galactic Shipwright Guild's (GSG) vast database of Tier-2 alloys and metals, essential for finalizing the hull design of his Vector-Class Frigate.
Ethan stepped into the pod, he then initiated the system. A gentle hum surrounded him, the door sliding shut behind him with a soft hiss. As the VR system activated, a low hum enveloped him, and moments later, he found himself standing in front of the GSG Virtual Headquarters.
Even after numerous visits, the sight still filled Ethan with awe. The towering virtual building stretched endlessly into the simulated sky, its exterior gleaming with metallic radiance. The emblem of the GSG—a starship emerging from a massive shipyard, framed by a brilliant star in the background—shimmered proudly above the entrance.
Stepping inside, Ethan entered a grand hall bathed in soft, golden light. The room exuded an air of radiance and dignity, its polished floors reflecting the architectural grandeur of the space. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, each depicting key moments in shipbuilding history. It was a place that commanded respect—a reminder of the monumental legacy upheld by the Guild.
Ethan made his way deeper into the headquarters, finally arriving at the GSG Library. This massive virtual repository was unlike anything he had ever seen, its shelves seemingly infinite, filled with data ranging from historical records to cutting-edge technological blueprints. The library was a sanctuary of knowledge, and Ethan had spent countless hours here, immersing himself in the intricacies of the Galactic Domain.
Walking toward one of the sleek, interactive tables, Ethan activated the library's central system. A holographic interface materialized before him, and he began browsing through the extensive catalog of Tier-2 alloys. His goal was clear: to identify materials that met his requirements for durability, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency.
The list was extensive, with each alloy accompanied by detailed specifications, including tensile strength, heat resistance, and unique properties. Ethan scrolled through the options, his mind analyzing and comparing possibilities. While some alloys offered unparalleled strength, their exorbitant costs made them impractical. Others were affordable but lacked the resilience needed for a warship's hull.
One alloy, however, caught his attention—Tritanium-Durasteel Composite. Known for its balance of strength and flexibility, it was a popular choice among Tier-2 shipwrights.
Another candidate was Arcanite-Valkor Blend, which provided excellent resistance against energy-based attacks but was heavier than Tritanium-Durasteel.
Ethan sifted through the extensive database, his eyes scanning line after line of alloy properties. Each option offered a unique set of advantages, but some stood out for their specific characteristics that could address the Vector-Class Frigate's needs. Alongside the Tritanium-Durasteel Composite and Arcanite-Valkor Blend, a few more materials demanded his attention:
Kelvion Steel: An alloy known for its durability and resistance to kinetic impacts. Often used in military-grade armor, it absorbed physical shocks exceptionally well, making it ideal for withstanding projectile-based weaponry.
Aethryllium: A lightweight, energy-reactive alloy often used in systems requiring high energy efficiency. Its conductivity made it perfect for integrating advanced energy shields and power systems.
Crysalite: A crystalline alloy with unparalleled resistance to electromagnetic interference. It was a favorite for protecting sensitive electronic systems in ships operating in environments with high radiation levels.
Magnorite: Famous for its ability to retain structural integrity even under extreme gravitational forces. Often used in components close to FTL drives or reactors, it provided stability in high-stress environments.
Thermalyte: A specialized alloy designed for thermal dissipation. While not as resistant as Zersium to energy weapons, it performed better under prolonged exposure to high heat, such as during atmospheric re-entry or close-range plasma weapon fire.
As he continued browsing, Ethan began noting other alloys that had caught his attention during his studies over the past month:
.Uravuranium: is a relatively new alloy discovered in the outer regions of the Galactic Domain and a few isolated mining zones across the galaxy. That versatile alloy was flexible, capable of withstanding high temperature, and capable of withstanding Havey pressure.
Ethan's research led him to uncover a variety of alloys, each offering unique advantages and challenges. Among them was the newly discovered Iravuranium, which stood out not for its scarcity—since it was surprisingly abundant in the outer reaches of the Galactic Domain—but for its intriguing properties.
It was a "jack-of-all-trades" alloy: possessing the flexibility of Dolomite, the strength of Neutronium, and the thermal resistance of Zersium. However, it was also a "master of none." While it excelled in balancing multiple attributes, it didn't surpass the specialized capabilities of those individual alloys in their respective domains.
This made Iravuranium both versatile and limited. Its wide applicability made it popular for multi-role ships, but Ethan had higher aspirations for his Vector-Class Frigate. He wanted every component to be optimized for its specific function.
Ethan's work had also led him to identify combinations of these materials for hybrid designs. For example, a composite of Magnorite and Neutronium might offer unparalleled structural strength for the ship's internal framework, while a blend of Thermalyte and Zersium could form an outer armor optimized for thermal resistance and energy dissipation.
Ethan leaned back slightly, his gaze focused on the holographic data. Choosing the right alloy was a critical decision—one that would impact not only the ship's performance but also its production cost and market viability. The challenge was immense, but for Ethan, it was also exhilarating.
With a deep breath, he continued his research, determined to leave no stone unturned. The path to perfection was never easy, but Ethan knew that every decision he made now would shape the future of his Vector-Class Frigate—and, perhaps, his own destiny.