Hi-Streamer Part 1

Part 1 of4. I think

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Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Umm... I need your help."

BornToSpeed: "Yeah, what is it?"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "I need a ship."

BornToSpeed: "Did something happen to your A-wing?"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "No."
Strawberry_Cupcakes: "It's a project I asked your Sister to take on that I heard about through hackerspace. It's a design competition for a MASINT spacecraft."

BornToSpeed: "Habu's going to win it. "

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Habu?"

BornToSpeed: "Proper name for a Blackbird. You're supposed to call it that. All the real pilots do."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "That's not the point. Your sister thinks it'll be good PR for next year, just to be seen to be part of it, so I get Asagiri money for it."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "I can get part-funding if I declare interest in the next week, but I need to have a proposal on paper that makes it worth them funding and letting us in."

BornToSpeed: "I have coursework....."

BornToSpeed: "I just started a new semester and there's the Motor-Club preparations for Motorcon in two weeks. Even though I'm still banned :("

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "I know. I can do all the electronic stuff. I just need a spaceframe to put it all in and some engines, and you're good at engines and it'll need to be able to outrun any attack."

BornToSpeed: "...Maybe. If my supervisor will let me use it as my applied project for the semester..."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Great! I just send you the spec I've been working on, along with the competition details. If I can get these sensors into it...."

BornToSpeed: "Wait. You want to put an interwave node in it. In something that size?"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "I've already talked to the catgirls. I'll need an interwave generator anyway for the IDAR array, so adding the node hardware is logical."

BornToSpeed: "IDAR? How... on a two-seater?"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Prototype, phased array. ;)"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "The catgirls agreed to loan it to me, if I could test for them. It'll be the only one that has it too so that gives us a niche, along with the node."

BornToSpeed: "Who's this 'us' Tonto?"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Who's Tonto? You still haven't said no."

BornToSpeed: "Fine. Right. So, who else is in the competition?"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "You know who. The usual suspects."

BornToSpeed: "So, no chance of winning then?"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "I just want to take part."
Strawberry_Cupcakes: "It's like, if someone offered *you* the chance to be in the same furball as Rhodes and Ichijo and the Azu's..."

BornToSpeed: "Alright. I'm in."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "I owe you one... really! :D"

BornToSpeed: "You think you can get a wi-fi camera into the bedroom in the old house? ;P~"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "DYM!! She's your sister!"

BornToSpeed: "Not by blood. So that makes it okay. How many moll flanders relationships have you seen? "

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Yeah. Well, she'll kill me."
Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Anyway, I need something quick for the proposal. A 3-D model or something."

BornToSpeed: "Gimme three days. I'll trawl wikipedia for something with memetics on its side."


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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
Subj: That Ship project.

Hey Anika...

"The first one's the hardest to do, but the easiest to fit everything inside. It's based on an old Russian research design called the Tsybin RSR, a sort of Blackbirdski, but I sort of modified it a bit. It's a little longer. The engine nacelles are the same as fitted to the old Dragon Wagon II, and I know how to tweak some real performance out of those engines, even using the open-source plans. The upshot is, we're building it from scratch, so we won't have to fight to fit everything in. That big fuselage gives us a lot of space to put everything and our fuel in.The downside is, we have to build it from scratch, which means a lot of kinks being ironed out, a lot of money to get it built as a prototype and a lot of headaches. And it took two years to do that with the Kulbit and that was already based on an existing design.

"The second is something that already exist. It's also Russian. They've been steadily retiring their Mig-31 fleet, so we can get an airframe from a broker since not even the Third World wants them. It's a big, fast jet, originally designed as an interceptor. It's rated to Mach 2.8, but has enough thrust to exceed 3.0. The Russians deployed it near where Habu's flew and I found logs suggesting they at least practiced intercepting so it has pedigree. It has two seats, it's made of steel, has room for airliner-sized engines, and has some internal space in its centre fuel-tanks. It also comes with a big radar on its nose. The upshot is, it's cheap, cuts out weeks of work building an airframe, and comes with inbuilt history of speed which the wave'll love. The downside is, they've been stripped of everything to supply parts to remaining squadrons. The problem is, making everything fit inside an existing frame that wasn't built. But we can save money using parts from the Kulbit, like the engines and parts of the cockpit."

I've sent the CAD models for both. The Mig'll need modifications to fit everything. It's your choice what you send on to the competition.

-Mackie


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From: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
To: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
Subj: RE: That Ship project.

The Mig. I don't want to design a new spaceframe from scratch. Too complicated and I don't have the budget. It's not exactly cute though - but it'll do the job.

Just one last check before I send off. Most of the sensor packages we need are in the Ultra class for PEPPER, and I can't get them on the Asagiri end user cert so I had to get creative and do something and I want you to make sure it'll work with what we have. I can get equivalents on the Very-Restricted class, but they're a generation older and they're designed for space-ships, not something this size.

They won't all fit in the centre-tank.

--Anika


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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen

Subj: RE: RE: That Ship project.

Anika,
It's not a Tardis. You have to drop something. The node maybe.


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From: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
To: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen

Subj: RE: RE: RE: That Ship project.

I know. I know. And I know we have to find some way to manage the heat aswell. I was thinking of using fuel recirculation as a coolant since they're all designed to be liquid-cooled anyway but then we need to add radiators...

We need to hit the performance requirements to get in to the competition and that's the only way I can do it. I want to keep the IDAR array because it's something nobody will have, so it gives us an edge to make it worth their while letting us in and since we need to have a datalink anyway we might aswell tie it in to the same interwave source instead of adding a lightspeed transceiver too.

I've got memes on my side too. The Mig was known for having an advanced, high-power radar so it'll want to work. Look.. I need to get this out inside a day or we don't get in.

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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen

Subj: RE: RE: RE: RE: That Ship project.

Fine. I've added a cranked-arrow extension to the wings joining the intakes to the wing-fences, which'll take some of the sensors, and maybe some modifications to the underfloor avionics bay under the cockpit. It means some extra steel in the structure and there'll be two obvious bulges in the fuselage but it'll fit. I also deleted all the under-belly hardpoints. We can use the space in the gun-mount aswell. But this is going to suck in combat, you know? That leaves just the two underwing hardpoints to defend itself.

We still need to work out how to manage all the heat. The model includes radiator panels, but I still don't know how to plumb them in or what to use as coolant. Might have to use forced heat-pumps and that means even more generator power and even more heat... ;P

You can get the engine details and performance data from the Kulbit files. On race power, they'll be good for somewhere between .12 and .14C. You can do the fuel consumption and range estimation yourself based on the tank volumes left.

It will work. I think.

A steel spaceframe, sensors designed for a starship crammed into it, and engines from a racecraft. It's going to raise eyebrows. ;)

Now. I really need to finish an assignment. It's due in four hours and I haven't even started it because I was doing all this.... Sorry Prof. Hayashida.

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From: K.Ntenge@Procurements.GJ .fen
To: Anika.daini@Friggarock.fen

Subj: Application response.

Dear Applicant.
Thank you for your submission and declaration of interest. We will be reviewing all submission and shall be in contact with you shortly should your organisation be invited to take part.

Kivas Ntenge
Great Justice Procurements Liason

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Strawberry_Cupcakes: "I just sent it."

BornToSpeed: "And..."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Time to wait. We won't hear back until we're home from Arcadia."

BornToSpeed: "I hope we get in. But don't be dissapointed if we don't..."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "I know."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Did you make your assignment deadline?"

BornToSpeed: "No... missed it by 2 minutes."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "2 minutes?"

BornToSpeed: "Moodle crashed under the weight of students trying to submit before midnight."
BornToSpeed: "It's still a 50% penalty for being late so it doesn't matter if I sit on it for a few hours and clean up. The professor hates me anyway"

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Really?"

BornToSpeed: "He's had it in for me ever since the last assignment."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "What'd you do to deserve that?"

BornToSpeed: "I didn't stroll down the guilded path he laid out for me."
BornToSpeed: "I drew my own conclusions from the data I got."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Just be careful. You know, with your scholarship and everything."

BornToSpeed: "All I have to do is pass this course. No big deal. It's mostly waffle anyway. I can do it in my sleep."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "Just don't let your sister hear you."

BornToSpeed: "she'd be a hypocrite if she complained. I know what she was like in college..."

Strawberry_Cupcakes: "...be careful."

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From: NoReply@Procurements.GJ.fen
To: Anika.daini@Friggarock.fen

Subj: Invitation to Compete

Preliminary shortlisting for specification 38-AB-275-Q has now been completed. We are pleased to inform you that your submission has been accepted and that your organisation has been invited to take part in trials scheduled to commence on March 20th Next year (Standard Earth Calender). Full details and requirements are attached to this email. In summary:

You are requested and required to construct at least one functional prototype, and provide spare-parts as necessary. Reimbursement for recorded, reasonable development expenses will not be authorised until the prototype has been completed, presented for trial, and accepted as meeting the minimum specified standard.

As the proposed spacecraft is based upon an existing mundane-type, the provisional designation assigned to the proposed spacecraft is XR-155-Foxhound K. Provisional design-bureau is Asagiri.

We reserve the right to split the production contract between parties as we se fit, should competing designs offer unique and worthwhile merits. We further reserve the right to require the licensing of any submitted design or unique technology under Fair and Reasonable non-discriminatory terms should the submitting organisation lack the ability to produce the design in-house.

-Great Justice Procurements Team.

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From: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
To: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen

Subj: We're In!1

Mackie...

We did it. We're in! They want me to build a prototype. I have to built a prototype. I've never built a spacecraft before in my life and they want me to build a prototype and I don't get paid until they actually accept the prototype so I don't have the money to do it.

That's not fair!

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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen

Subj: RE: We're In!1

Anika,
You can get seed from Sis'. Didn't she say Asagiri'd help?  Congratulations btw. ;)

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From: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
To: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen

Subj: RE: RE: We're In!1


It's not enough. :( I have two engines and some parts from the Kulbit, and enough money to buy an airframe *or* the sensors I need but not both.


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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen

Subj: RE: RE: RE: We're In!1

Yeah. Um... I don't have much money either. It sort of went away because of you-know-what and I'm on something of a tight leash with the allowance she gives me now. Sorry. but I can't help you there.

You might want to look into selling your A-wing. It's in pretty good condition and comes with some unusual options that might tempt the right buyer. Even second hand, it'll still hold its value because you treated it like gold.

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https://iw.auctions.ships.Donedeal.fen

For Sale:

BAT A-Wing "Little Cool Rider'. 2021 Model year. Includes upgraded sensors, luxury cockpit fittings and standard propulsion systems. FSH, Insurance, DKL, RBD, RCS, AMD, ITR, VVT, RNG and dedicated STR. Never been raced or crashed. All original factory. One careful gynoid owner. Really reluctant sale ;_;

Click to Bid

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From: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
To: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen

Subj: I sold my ship ;_;

It's gone. ;_; I miss it already. It was such an awesome little thing and it was all mine because I paid for it with money I earned from Bounty Hunting and now it's gone. I have money but it feels empty. And once the payment for the spaceframe and all the hardware goes through I'll have nothing. No ship. No money. Just parts. And three months left. How could I sell it? It was an awesome little ship and now it's gone to someone else.


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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen

Subj: RE: I sold my ship ;_;


You paid for the spaceframe? All the hardware?


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From: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
To: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen

Subj: RE: RE: I sold my ship ;_;

Payment is gone. Paperwork is mine. Courier will pick it up from Russia and drop it here. I have approval on the end-user certificates for all the restricted hardware so that'll ship within the week. Then I have a solid piece of soviet steel, and a load of crates full of electronics, two engines and....stuff,

The other two are already prepping for next year. They made me rewrite some of the system control logic. But they wont have time for my ship because they're going to Blue-Riband this year, and then preparation for the start of the season and Serenity's great mission. So I'm on my own.

Why do I still feel like I betrayed my little ship? It was special and nobody's going to love it like I did because it'll just be a spaceship to them while we did amazing things together.

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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen

Subj: Cool propulsion mods

It passes. They're like girlfriends. You miss them at first and it hurts, but then you get over them and fall in love again.

I'm on break. I'll be there. I think I can get it done in four weeks. Then you do the software - then I might be able to get some time off to actually get the thing running since it is supposed to be a project and I'll need time off to actually get it done. So, I've got to get all my other assignments done much earlier to buy time for it and it'll eat into my exam study time.

Oh boy.

At least I got a pass last semester. I can make it work.

And Check out these engine mods! :D I think we can get up over .18 for short bursts if we simply dump the hot coolant overboard rather than worry about having to actually radiate all that heat. Those are race engines so they can take the output if you keep them cool and keep them in limits. And, we've enough thrust to actually fly in Martian atmosphere rather than use wave-effects so that kicks our efficiency up. Especially with atmospheric cooling...

-Mackie

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From: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
To: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen

Subj: RE: Dangerous propulsion mods

Um.... I'm not sure. Do we really need to go that fast? The design requirement speed's .11C, we don't need to go more than that.  And I really don't want to break down on the middle of a trial or the middle of nowhere again. Or blow up in the middle of a trial when everyone is watching which'll be so embarassing because nobody will ever take anything we do seriously again.

If we break down I don't get paid. We just have to get over the line this time, not do anything insane like trying to match Magnificent Midnight.

And since when have you ever had a girlfriend anyway?

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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen

Subj: RE: RE: Cool propulsion mods

I was seeing someone! It ended due to a difference of opinion is all...

Anyway. You get your IDAR, I get my project. I worked it out with my course supervisor. He wants a high-performance drive with minimal endurance for a speed-record project they're putting together and this is the testbed. They're doing a new Thunderbird! And I pull this off I'm on the team. They like what I did with the Motorclub's tank.

Back to the Mig. We don't have any real weapons to defend ourselves so if someone actually fires at us we have to either try and outfly the missile, out-jam the missile, or out-run the missile. We can't outfly it because this thing is too heavy, so we need the boost to outrun. It's the easiest and most reliable option.

And you can just dump the coolant through the engines to cloud an IR missile, then chuck out a pair of fusion flares while cutting the drive to fool it!  I think...

Anyway. I need this to work to pass the year, Anika. And I wan to get on that team If it breaks down or goes wrong I don't get a pass-mark. So it's going to be solid, I promise.


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From: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen
To: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen

Subj: It's here.

Okay...I believe you, thousands wouldn't ;P

It just arrived. I have crates of very restricted hardware. I have a hanger. I have the engines. And I have the empty spaceframe. I have it all and I have no idea to put it together. I've already done some of the software work and I have a flight suit that fits.

Riding Hi Streamer is a go!  :D

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From: Mackinson.Jaguar2@studentmail.NIT.edu.fen
To: Anika.daini@friggarock.fen

Subj: On teh next transport

Be there in three days! This thing's gonna be awesome. It's like anti-subtle....That's so much fun. When it gets to the competition, you'll have these hyper-advanced rapier's, precision scalpels and then this massive broadsword. This thing's just like BLAM! A solid lump of steel, overpowered engines and overcharged electronics. It's going to be this big brutal monster of a thing.

Let's build it!

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