Entry 1 - Station Rented
Just got the keys to my own little corner of the void. Station 17B, tucked away in the Aris sector, is a bit of a dive, but it's got the necessities: a decent fabrication bay, access to the local power grid, and most importantly, no one asking too many questions. Rented it for three cycles, figured that's enough time to get started. The Mule and Hydra are parked outside, looking like they're eager for some work. First thing's first: I need more space.
Entry 2 - Hull Revisions
Spent the last two cycles mostly buried in schematics and metal. Started on the Mule – it’s practically a tin can, so plenty of room for expansion. I focused on the lower cargo hold, adding a couple of panels with a decent cavity behind them. Now, they look like part of the regular structure, but they slide open with a carefully placed magnetic key. Nothing spectacular, but enough to hide a few crates of… special goods. The Hydra is next. That'll be tougher; it's got a more layered hull, but I've got an idea for a few concealed compartments near the engine core.
Entry 3 - Enhanced Drives
Damn these slower freighters! The stock drives in these ships are an insult. I've been rerouting power and calibrating the drive coil augmentations for the Mule. It's like adding afterburners, but less… fiery. I'm running off a small auxillary generator for power, just to ensure I don't fry the damn ship when I get too enthusiastic. Tests in the station's maneuvering bay show a marked improvement. The thing handles like a dream now! Well, a slightly less sluggish dream, anyway. Next up, the Hydra. It’s going to need a bit more finesse due to its bigger power signature.
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Entry 4 - Fuel Upgrades
Fuel… always the damn constraint. Decided to start beefing up my fuel capacity. The Mule’s auxillary tanks are now twice the normal size, fitted in the external supports with an overpressure release, just in case. Started work on adding a small tanker-style fuel bladder for the Hydra. It’s tucked away under the main hull, mostly invisible. Also rerouted some fuel lines to a small auxillary tank inside. It could save my bacon in a pinch, and hopefully give me an edge over the usual fuel-gouging merchants out there.
Entry 5 - Simple Yet Effective
I keep telling myself this isn't rocket science. It’s just basic ship maintenance, really. But every time I weld a new panel or rewire a circuit, it feels… good. Like I'm making these ships mine. I've been pouring over schematics, learning about power distribution, hull stress points, and how the different modules interact. It's all interconnected—like a giant, metal puzzle. It's not like I'm building a whole new ship, just… optimizing what I have. The commoners call it hull-modifying, but I like to think I'm giving these ships some tender, loving care.
Entry 6 - Routine
Work today was mostly routine. Calibrated the Hydra’s augmented drives, added a couple more baffles in the hidden compartments. I'm getting faster now. The station’s fabricator is starting to feel like an extension of my own hands. I might have to start looking for another job to afford the upkeep here. But for now, I'm happy with my little project. These ships are finally starting to feel ready. Time to test them.
Entry 7 - Ready For Takeoff
Final checks on the Mule and Hydra. The hidden compartments are secure. The augmented drives purr like contented cats. The fuel tanks are full. I did a final run of the power supply from the auxillary generator, and all systems are green. Station rent runs out soon, and frankly, I'm itching to get back out there. Time to see if all this work has paid off. And maybe, just maybe, earn a little more than regular runs along the trade routes. The void is calling...