COMPONENTS TO BE RESTORED
1 Medical Bay
1 CFT-10 Fusion Torch Drive
1 CEWD Laser Dazzler
1 CEWCM Countermeasure Launcher
2 CPP Guided Plasma Munition Point Defense System
2 CDS-SWR Radar Panels
1 CML 2 MINING BEAM
Total: 9 Major Systems
COMPONENTS TO BE CANNIBALIZED
2 CFT-10 Fusion Torch Drive
1 CPL-77 triple barrel tracking plasma projector
1 CSL-3 Missile Launchers
1 CDL-2 Drone Bays
1 CEWJ-90 Radar Jammer
1 CEWD Laser Dazzler
2 CPP Plasma Particle Shotgun Point Defense System
Total: 9 Major systems.
“Huh, so just worked out to be nine and nine?”
“This is an estimate. I prioritized damaged systems to be cannibalized, but as said systems are damaged I do not know all that is salvagable. It is likely we may need to take more systems offline to get the requested systems online, but I doubt full cannibalization is needed.” The ship, Hook, responded.
“And my other question, can we bring these systems back later on when we are not in such dire straights?”
“Ostensibly yes, if we were able to find a nice mineral rich asteroid field and parked ourselves for a year or more, we could restore all systems to full functionality.”
I sucked on my teeth.
“That... is a long time.”
“Yes, I do not believe that to be an option. I recommend once we get the vessel moving again we make all hast to Prime to undergo refit. And to restore Captain-Bait.”
“You still refer to her as Captain, am I not the captain now?”
“You are currently acting captain. However, should Bait be re-instantiated captainship will revert back to her.”
“I see.”
“Another question, is there a reason you chose to consume two of the plasma particle shotguns instead of one shotgun and one guided plasma projectile point defense system?”
“Consuming both of them still leaves one plasma shotgun on either side of the vessel.”
“So... you did it strictly to keep the ship symetrical.”
“No.” The ship paused.
“Captain-Bait and I had... a difference of opinions on the efficacy of the Plasma Particle Shotguns versus the guided plasma point defense system.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“And that was?”
“Bait believe having lower tech, but reliable point defense that had it's own built in fire control system capable of automatically engaging targets without the aid of the ships own sensor network was worth the decrease in statistical efficacy. I did not.”
“So, what I am hearing is, statistically, the guided plasma projectile system is better, but the plasma shotgun can still function even when the ships sensors are impaired and/or it is severed from the ships network.”
“Correct.”
“Is that why we still have a functional plasma shotgun and no functional guided plasma point defenses?”
The ship was silent.
“Unknown, connection still has not been reestablished with the plasma shotgun. I only know it's still online via wireless telemetry telling me it is online and searching for threats. It is currently running on battery power.”
“Wait, so it is ENTIRELY severed from the ships network AND power, and it is still defending us.”
“Correct.”
“You aren't making a very strong case to dismantle two of those.”
“The statistics show that the plasma shotguns are 15% less likely to shoot down incoming medium sized missiles than the guided plasma, and 35% less likely to shoot down torpedoes and other highly durable guided projectiles.
Not unexpected, though the thought of having nothing once again filled me with a brief burst of terror... I would just have to hope Bait and Joe were true about how C.O.G. Was, and that I would be able to make my own way.
“Okay... how long till restoration is complete?”
“From the point you approve these repairs, roughly 28 hours.”
“How about we only strip out one of the particle shotguns, and strip out one of the guided plasma projectile point defenses instead.”
“...Acknowledged”
A new status display appeared.
COMPONENTS TO BE RESTORED
1 Medical Bay
1 CFT-10 Fusion Torch Drive
1 CEWD Laser Dazzler
1 CEWCM Countermeasure Launcher
2 CPP Guided Plasma Munition Point Defense System
2 CDS-SWR Radar Panels
1 CML 2 MINING BEAM
Total: 9 Major Systems
COMPONENTS TO BE CANNIBALIZED
2 CFT-10 Fusion Torch Drive
1 CPL-77 triple barrel tracking plasma projector
1 CSL-3 Missile Launchers
1 CDL-2 Drone Bays
1 CEWJ-90 Radar Jammer
1 CEWD Laser Dazzler
1 CPP Plasma Particle Shotgun Point Defense System
1 CPP Guided Plasma Munition Point Defense System
Total: 9 Major systems.
“Can I assist with the repairs in any way?”
“Yes, I can route repair instructions to your hud, however, I will prioritize the Medical bay first. Until it is completed, I recommend you rest. The surgery will take a lot out of you.”
I let out a breathe.
“Okay, can you direct me to quarters?”
“The route is on your hud.”
A glowing green line appeared in my HUD and I followed it out of the bridge, down the corridor and through a bulkhead. Laid out were 4 bunks recessed into the wall. They did not look comfortable.
“I don't suppose there is a nicer captain, captain's quarters perhaps?”
“In hard Vacuum I'm afraid.”
I sighed and laid down on the bed.
Almost the instant my head hit the pillow I was asleep.