Entry 1
The schematics for the overdrive are more complex than I initially thought. We are not talking about just pumping more juice in. The energy coil needs to be refabricated with a tighter configuration that will handle the rapid discharge. It will put stress on the reactor I'm afraid but I will offset this by adding extra cooling around the core. It will add extra weight but the trade off should be well worth it. The real challenge, I think, will be refining the maneuvering thruster array. Normally they’re controlled by sensors that give smooth inputs but this overdrive is not about smooth, its about sudden. I’m thinking of rerouting direct control from the main helm to the thruster control so I can maximize the input. Almost like a manual override during the overdrive. I spent most of the day sourcing the materials for the refab of the coil. They were expensive. I hope this all pays off.
Entry 2
The refabricated coil is in. The reactor's been running hotter than a forge's heart during testing. I’ve installed the extra cooling units and it seems to be offsetting the extra heat. I spent the day welding extra bracing around the core. I’ve had a few mishaps. A small breach in the cooling system but I was able to patch it quickly. I’ve decided to christen the project "The Raptor." It seems fitting with the extra speed. The manual override to the thrusters is almost complete. It’s a tangled mess of wires and servos, but it works. I took Phoenix on a small test run today, just outside the docking bay. Nothing was over-stressed but it did feel very different. I need to refine the controls, it's twitchy but the potential is there.
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Entry 3
Frustration is a bitter spice. Testing the Raptor over a larger distance, I discovered a critical flaw. The sudden energy surge, while delivering the boost I wanted, caused a harmonic vibration in the thruster housing, threatening to tear it apart. I had to shut it down immediately. I spent all day running diagnostics. We are adding too much power to the thruster array at once. After reviewing my schematics again I realized I missed a harmonic damper within the array. I’ve reconfigured the array with the dampers. This should solve the problem. I’ve also added another layer of shielding to the reactor core after the last test nearly took off my eyebrows. Lesson learned: don’t get too close to the reactor when you're pushing it to its limits.
Entry 4
Success. The Raptor is operational. The modifications seem to have worked. I took Phoenix on a longer test run today, pushing her to the edge – firing the overdrive in quick bursts, maneuvering sharply. There was a moment when I almost lost control but the manual override worked beautifully. It was like dancing with a wild beast. The three-second burst feels like an eternity when you're fighting the controls. The speed is breathtaking. And the added maneuvering… it’s a game-changer. I think this is the edge I needed. This is going to change how I do business. I need to run more tests but for now, Phoenix is better than ever. I think I need to head home for a drink.
Entry 5
Raptor is not just for speed, its become an art. I spent my time today practicing with the Raptor. I’m trying to learn its limits. I’m getting a feel for the controls. It's definitely not something to engage lightly. The risks are high, but so are the rewards. I envision using it to outrun pirates or to get in that final shot of a duel. When I'm brawling with the Phoenix and I see a weakness, a flaw of my opponent spaceship I close in on it. If I need pull away due to too much heat I can. The possibilities are endless.