Ethan carefully assessed the limitations of the advanced weapon systems he had been exploring. While their destructive capabilities were undeniably impressive, they came with inherent restrictions tied to the constraints of Tier-2 technology.
It was clear to him that these were not flaws in design but rather the natural ceiling of what Tier-2 weapons could achieve with the materials and engineering techniques available at this level.
The Graviton Lance Cannon, for example, was primarily hampered by the materials used in its construction. The alloys and components simply couldn't withstand the immense stress and heat generated without requiring extensive cooldown periods.
Ethan realized that he couldn't fundamentally change this limitation without crossing into Tier-1 technology—an entirely different league of engineering and resources that was far beyond his current capabilities.
Upgrading the efficiency of the weapon by 10 to 20 percent was possible, but anything more would require a complete redesign of the ship into a Tier-1 frigate, a feat Ethan knew was impossible for now.
"Not yet, anyway," Ethan muttered to himself, his mind briefly entertaining the idea of one day designing Tier-1 ships. But that dream was still far in the future, a goal to work toward after he established himself in the Galactic Domain.
One challenge Ethan was confident he wouldn't have to worry about, however, was the energy demands of these weapons. Thanks to the Aetherium Reactor powering the Vector-Class Frigate, the ship had an exceptional energy output capable of meeting even the most intense power requirements. The reactor's advanced design ensured a steady and efficient energy flow, allowing the frigate to handle high-energy weapon systems, shields, and propulsion simultaneously without overtaxing its systems
Ethan carefully assessed the limitations of the advanced weapon systems he had been exploring. While their destructive capabilities were undeniably impressive, they came with inherent restrictions tied to the constraints of Tier-2 technology. It was clear to him that these were not flaws in design but rather the natural ceiling of what Tier-2 weapons could achieve with the materials and engineering techniques available at this level.
The Graviton Lance Cannon, for example, was primarily hampered by the materials used in its construction. The alloys and components simply couldn't withstand the immense stress and heat generated without requiring extensive cooldown periods.
Ethan realized that he couldn't fundamentally change this limitation without crossing into Tier-1 technology—an entirely different league of engineering and resources far beyond his current capabilities.
He acknowledged that upgrading the weapon's efficiency by 10 to 20 percent was feasible, but anything beyond that would necessitate a complete redesign of the frigate into a Tier-1 model—a feat he knew was unattainable for now.
One challenge Ethan was confident he wouldn't have to worry about, however, was the energy demands of these weapons. Thanks to the Aetherium Reactor powering the Vector-Class Frigate, the ship had an exceptional energy output capable of meeting even the most intense power requirements.
The reactor's advanced design ensured a steady and efficient energy flow, allowing the frigate to handle high-energy weapon systems, shields, and propulsion simultaneously without overtaxing its systems.
After completing his research on both alloys and weapon systems, Ethan exited the central console of the library and left the virtual reality interface altogether. His vision shifted back to the real world as the pod's hatch opened with a soft hiss.
Ethan stepped out, still lost in thought about the work ahead. His research had laid the foundation, but now it was time to move into the experimental phase.
The next step involved conducting various experiments with the alloys to study their interactions and performance when combined in structural applications.
Adjustments to the ship's blueprint would follow, ensuring the alloys enhanced the frigate's durability and functionality without compromising its structural integrity.
A small, confident smile crossed Ethan's face. While the tasks ahead were complex, he was relieved knowing that much of the heavy lifting could be handled by Star Forge's central AI, Aurora.
If needed, his own Quantum AI could provide additional support. However, the computational limitations of the Star Forge, as a Tier-2 facility, meant that even with automation, these tasks would still take time—approximately a week at most.
As he exited the lab, Ethan began to formulate a detailed plan for the coming week. During this period, he intended to allocate time for intensive personal study. His focus would be on advancing his understanding of:
Advanced Material Science: To deepen his knowledge of the properties and potential applications of newly discovered alloys like Iravuranium and their interaction with other materials.
Advanced Applications of Quantum Technologies: To explore innovative ways of utilizing his Quantum AI and integrating quantum systems into his ship designs.
Advanced Weapon Systems: To enhance his grasp of energy-based and kinetic weapons, aiming to refine their application in space combat scenarios.
Advanced Light-Speed Technologies: Including the study of next-generation propulsion systems such as ion engines, which could offer improved speed and efficiency for future designs.
The week promised to be a demanding one, but Ethan felt invigorated. Each step brought him closer to completing the Vector-Class Frigate, a project that would not only establish his reputation but also serve as a critical milestone in his journey within the Galactic Domain. With a renewed sense of purpose, he set off to begin his preparations. The real work was just beginning.
As Ethan left the main lab to begin his preparations for the upcoming week, he reflected on his progress. He had already ordered the required alloys—about one ton each—from the GSG Material Supply Department. That quantity would suffice for Aurora to conduct the necessary experiments. Walking through the Star Forge's expansive bays toward his quarters, Ethan was interrupted by a notification from Aurora.
"You've received a call from Jameson," Aurora announced in her smooth, neutral tone.
Ethan frowned. Jameson? He couldn't immediately think of a reason for the call. The last time Jameson contacted him, he had been representing the Council, delivering their directives. Now, calling at this hour seemed odd. After a moment's thought, Ethan sighed and accepted the call.
Jameson's holographic form materialized in front of him. Ethan nodded at the figure and gestured for him to walk alongside as they talked.
Breaking the silence, Ethan asked in a calm but serious tone, "What does the Council want to say this time through you, Jameson?"
Jameson chuckled lightly, not taking Ethan's directness to heart. "Yes, Ethan, I am here on the Council's behalf again. But this time, consider it good news," he replied with a smile.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued but puzzled. Good news? What could it be?
Jameson, noticing the perplexed expression on Ethan's face, continued with a grin. "The Council has reviewed your blueprint for the Vector-Class Frigate, and they're...impressed. Very impressed, actually. They're particularly intrigued that you call it a 'frigate' with specifications like those—but in a good way."
Ethan listened intently, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. He had expected scrutiny, but not outright praise.
Jameson went on, "They've sent me with news that might relieve some of your financial burden. It's also an opportunity for you to present your design to the public."