January 25, 2034Having already recognized potential in Mcbay's Jump Point Theory, Nix is now starting to see some serious progress int he research. Unfortunately McBay is still young and new to large scale research projects and has trouble handling many labs at one time. Nix has decided to take over the project. His experience and skill will help to see the theory fully explored sooner and possible even better.
Nix has put in a request to Governor Perego for more government assistance int he form of grants and resources. Perego has tentatively provided a small increase in resources, but wants further information and a full report on progress before she will commit fully to the project.
February 7, 2034In a clever move, Nix released a transcript of his report to Governor Perego to the media prior to his presentation about Jump Point Theory. The report struck at the heart of the imagination of the voting public, creating what could only be called a frenzied call for enhanced research in the field. Before even hearing the presentation, Governor Perego had already been inundated with calls from the public to OK the distribution of resources to Nix Labs and Nix' research on Jump Point Theory.
Needless to say, Perego accepted Nix's request for grants following the presentation. Nix now has his full capacity of 35 labs at his exposure.
Numbers Leno is pissed. As a result of the shifting of government resources and aid to Nix Labs, Pelland Research has just lost access to 21 research labs.
James Mcbay is also angry. Jump Point Theory was his idea. His project. Nix did not even mention his name during the presentation to Governor Perego...
Reports indicate Mcbay has been seen visiting the Pelland Research campus.
April 18, 2034XXXX
Dear
MR BARNES,
We regret to inform you that your
son daughter husband wife has been killed
by the enemy while on leave in an accident
as a result of disease from unknown causes.
He She was actively serving in the following assignment
COMMANDING OFFICER - 42ND LOW TECH INFANTRYFurther details will follow.
Signed
Brig.Gen. LOUDONXXXX
May 16, 2034The NASA - Houston Shipyard has been retooled for the Xplore mod 1. Captain Chaoticag brought the Xplore One back to earth to participate in discussions of how to proceed with construction. Chaoticag, Nix, Governor Perego and others came to the conclusion that they would build two of the new mod 1s. Construction is estimated to take 17 months. Until then, Chaoticag will remain earthbound. Once the mod 1s roll off the slipways he will take command of one of them and continue his work. The fate of the second is not yet decided. It may be reserved on earth for emergency use; alternatively it may be issued crew and captain to operate in conjunction with Chaoticag's ship.
June 30, 2034During a widely anticipated televised report, a Nix Labs spokesman revealed the details of Jump Point Theory. Lead researcher Nix finished the project, unveiling the potential for jump point travel. His data is strong and even the most fervent critics have trouble disputing the results. By utilizing Trans-Newtonian technology and elements it should be possible to build 'jump engines' of a sort that would allow for a space ship to pass through a 'jump point' to other parts of the universe
instantly.
The report warns that inter-galactic travel is still not assured... First these so called jump points must be found, if there even are any. And that will take all new technology and research just to build a tool capable of finding them. Once a jump point is found, it cannot be exploited until a whole different system is developed that can facilitate the jump. The spokesman has indicated Nix Labs will start work on these followup technologies and systems immediately.
In other news, scientist James Mcbay has left Nix Labs. In their own announcement, Haan Industries has revealed Mcbay has joined their team as a power and propulsion specialist. Fellow power expert Karen Lamay is following her colleague Mcbay in the move.
July 16, 2034Ut oh.
October 17, 2034Another scientific breakthrough from nix Labs, this time a gravitation survey sensor. The device can be used to survey for 'potential' jump points within the solar system. Governor Perego has made it a priority to see a gravitational survey sensor in space ASAP.
Two firms have presented space ship designs to the governor for approval.
Nix Labs, inventor of the gravitational survey sensor, has presented a design based around the NTET FORCE One engine. Equipped with high powered grav survey sensors it can reach a max speed of 2000km/s with an endurance of 108 billion kilometers. It checks in with a 2,500 ton hull.
NL Searcher class Gravsurvey Ship 2,500 tons 239 Crew 539.2 BP TCS 50 TH 100 EM 0
2000 km/s Armour 1-16 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/4/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
Maint Life 6.24 Years MSP 270 AFR 25% IFR 0.3% 1YR 12 5YR 179 Max Repair 100 MSP
Bartholomay Research - NTET FORCE One - MIL SPEC (4) Power 25 Fuel Use 100% Signature 25 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 150,000 Litres Range 108.0 billion km (625 days at full power)
Gravitational Survey Sensors (4) 4 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Haan Industries has presented its own design. Built around the NTET Micro Buzzer engine, the ship is capable of speeds up to 2500km/s with an endurance of 45 billion kilometers. While it's grav survey sensors suit is significantly weaker than the Nix design, its small hullsize of 1000 tons and fast speed create a ship capable of getting on station faster than the opposing design.
HI Magicman class Gravitational Survey Vessel 1,000 tons 85 Crew 206 BP TCS 20 TH 50 EM 0
2500 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/1/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 9.68 Years MSP 129 AFR 8% IFR 0.1% 1YR 2 5YR 37 Max Repair 100 MSP
HI - NTET Micro Buzzer (1) Power 50 Fuel Use 1000% Signature 50 Armour 0 Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres Range 45.0 billion km (208 days at full power)
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Current shipyard situation:
No shipyard can accept either design at the moment. Only the Unity Naval yard and NASA - Houston yards can handle the Searcher's hull. The Unity Two can accommodate the smaller Magicman.
The first shipyard to be ready for a potential refit is the Unity Two with three slipways in May of the next year. NASA - Houston will be ready in July next year with two slipways. But it should be noted that the Unity Naval Yard will be able to handle a retooling much faster than either of the other shipyards (instantly). So while it does not become available for use until August of next year, it will be able to immediately begin construction of either design on two slipways.
Governor Perego must make a decision which ship design to accept and build.
(accepting opinions)
January 10, 2035Governor Perego has announced the completion of a series of deep space tracking stations built on earth. Designed to help keep track of vessels in space the ten stations can also be moved to other system bodies to expand coverage.
Haan Industries has also revealed that James Mcbay has completed research into Max Squadron Jump Radius 50k. Haan Industries also claims research into Jump Drive Efficiency 3 will be finishing up early February.
Nix Labs has in return announced research on Max Jump Squadron Size 3, headed by Nix himself, will be finishing around February 8.
February 11, 2035Following Haan Industries' Karen Lamay's work on efficiency completed just a few days prior, Nix Labs' newest research enables the practical design of a jump engine.
During closed door meetings, Scotty Haan and Nix come to the agreement to 'share' the invention of jump engine technologies. As a part of the deal Haan Industries will spearhead the research and production of the actual jump engine while licensing some of the work from Nix Labs. This also allows Nix to begin research on a revolutionary new technology: terraforming modules.
March 26, 2035A maintenance failure on one of the Enforcers has brought attention to fleet command about the aging hulls. As such, Solar Close Patrol, consisting of the first two Enforcers built has been recalled from active duty for overhaul.
April 7, 2035A new commercial shipyard has been built. A partnership between Haan Industries and Newgate Construction, it is called Haan-Newgate Spaceworks.
April 17, 2035Mercassium has been depleted on earth.
Records show that there are still 42,010 tons stockpiled on earth, with minimal current usage. But the end of new supply is noteworthy. it brings up the debates about exploration and space travel once again. Now, more than ever is it imperative to secure another earth-like source of TN elements. The possibility of jump point travel and exploration has created a strong opinion among the population that humanity
needs to explore to survive. Scientists like Nix are working to remind people and politicians to be cautious and not jump to deeply into any single mindset. Nix warns that it is still possible that
no earth-like source of TN elements will ever be found. As such continued expansion must be tempered with resourcefulness. Nix suggests that the government and Governor Perego should focus grants and resources exclusively on exploration based pursuits.
As a part of the whole discussion the previously dismissed 'A' word has been coming up more and more. If humans on earth can go into space, and potentially travel across the universe instantly using jump point theory, why can't something else? Talk of aliens is still easily dismissed by most prominent researchers, but a growing number of politicians and fringe scientists are beginning to believe it is a true concern.
No one disagrees that it is statistically likely that 'life' exists elsewhere, and due to the whole 'infinite' part of the universe it could be possible that intelligent life exists too... But prior to jump point theory or Trans-Newtonian thought, that possibility was completed negated by the sheer distances involved... Distance is now potentially a non-factor...
May 22, 2035Asteroid # 14 is pretty much used up. It still has 2,182 tons of boronide at .92 accessibility, but with the other five minerals depleted it is not worth it to keep the 100 automated mines on it. They will be moved by Atlas cargo ships to Asteroid # 64.
Also, with the addition of the 4th slipways to Unity Two, the shipyard is now able to be retooled. Considering the growing pressure from the public, Governor Perego has decided to OK the Haan Industries Magicman design for construction. Unity Two will be retooled for the vessel immediately.